About to enter my last year of college, I can't help but look back on the last three years and feel like I haven't learned anything. But today, watching eager parents help their bright-eyed 18 year old kids move into dorms spread across campus, I realized that I am definitely not the same person I was when I first got to college, and the majority of the most important things I have learned have been taught to me in the past few years.
1. Call your parents often
They are funny, cool, and the best role models you can ask for. They raised you, so they kind of know you the best. They have a lot (not all, but a lot) of the answers you need.
2. Dropping someone doesn't make you a horrible person
Some people are negative to our personal growth. If someone's presence in your life is toxic, you do not have to keep them around.
3. Early is on time and on time is late
Punctuality really reflects on you as a person. It is important to establish yourself as someone who is on time or early so that when you are late, it does not seem like a habit. Tardiness is not appreciated.
4. Money management is HARD
No matter how much I tell myself to save, there is always Chinese takeout to slowly deplete my bank account. Money management and budgeting doesn't come easy, and it is something you need to work really hard at.
5. Only freshmen wear lanyards around their necks
Rookie move.
6. Going home is hard
Your parents raise you to leave the nest, and once you have a taste of living on your own, it is hard to get comfortable under your parent's roof again. Be understanding of that, and don't take it out on them. Talk to them about what you are and are not used to anymore, and find a happy medium.
7. Start building credit
Four years go by fast, and before you know it, you're going to want to move out ( see above). By opening up a college credit card at your bank and slowly learning how to establish good credit, you'll have more of a chance to be able to move out sooner.
8. Work is not fun, but it's a necessity
Working awful minimum wage jobs and missing out on hanging out with friends is not enjoyable, but it is necessary. Start making money so you'll have a chance during the school year to feel comfortable enough to spend a little bit. At the same time, remember Money management is HARD.
9. Find friends that aren't afraid to disagree with you
Arguments with friends don't mean that they hate you. Having a different point of view in your life is crucial to making better decisions, growing as a young adult, and discovering who you are (as cheesy as that sounds). You don't want to surround yourself with people who just say yes to whatever you say. Those aren't real friends.
10. Caring about school isn't nerdy
Getting good grades, working hard, and having a good work ethic is not something to be bullied about on the bus anymore (shoutout to the boys in middle school that made fun of me, check out my 3.8 GPA now). Intelligence is important and knowledge is desirable. There is nothing hotter than someone who knows what they're talking about.
11) Professors don't hate you
Though you may not be the class pet, professors do not want to fail you. If you are not doing well, it is not because the professor has a personal vendetta against you. Instead of complaining about it, work harder to show that professor that you are absorbing their information, and prove to them why you deserve a better grade.
12. Differentiate between what is a big deal and what is not
Not everything requires an "it's the end of the world" reaction. Learn what you can let roll off your back, and what requires more of your attention and time.
13. Don't be afraid to fail
That is how I learned every single one of these life lessons. You can always try again.