Now that I'm in my third year of college, I'd say I know the ropes pretty well. I'm still learning every day, but I feel that I've gained a lot of insight about various things--things I wish I knew as a freshman. I've thought up a few things I will tell myself once the whole time travel thing is figured out:
1. Your meal plan is not unlimited.
You're going to run out of meals if you continue to spend 3 meals a day on Starbucks. No one needs that much caffeine. At the end of the semester, you will end up eating ramen for all your meals.
2. You're going to sleep through a class at least once. It's okay.
It happens--you waited until the last minute to get an assignment done the night before. You wake up with a smile on your face until you look at your clock and realize your class started an hour ago. Don't have an anxiety attack, just don't make it a habit.
3. Trying to be someone you do not set you up for failure...
Holding yourself up to a standard someone else has set is tiring. Pretending you're a different person will not only make others think you're untrustworthy when they see the real parts of you but will affect your own sense of identity.
4. ... And the best thing you can be is yourself.
People will love you for you. Everyone is different and everyone wants to surround themselves with certain people. You will find people you click with and will be so much happier being free to express how you really feel all the time.
5. Being on time makes a big impression...
You wouldn't want to wait around for people so don't make other people wait for you. It's as simple as that.
6. And so does being late.
People won't want to work with you if you can't even stick to a schedule. Do you really want to be known as the person who's late to everything? You're about to have a career and anything that makes you look unprofessional could have a serious impact.
7. You have to be responsible for yourself.
No one is there to wake you up for class or make you do your homework. Get yourself on a schedule and stick to it. Too many people take the freedom for granted.
8. Cleanliness is, in fact, next to godliness.
An organized space gives you more head space to get your work done.
9. Getting less than an A isn't the end of the world.
It's not high school, and papers aren't 500 words long anymore. Getting less than an A is okay if you tried your best.
8. No one cares about your SAT scores.
Does your 1950 score get you free food? A job? Nope. (That was my way of sneaking my SAT score in because that is literally the only time I will be able to).
10. You only have to spend time with people you want to spend time with.
If someone bothers you or makes you uncomfortable, there is a whole network of students in your school who you can take your pick from.
11. The people you surround yourself with are a direct reflection of you.
Surround yourself with the right people and they can change your life--in good or bad ways. It all depends on you.
12. You aren't as old and wise as you think you are.
You are going to make mistakes. You're going to think you're right and you're going to be proven wrong. Use this to your advantage. Keep an open mind. Listen to everyone's opinions.
13. You will appreciate coming home much more when you're away.
The people in the support system you've built at home know you better than anyone else, and that's important to keep as you learn and grow.
