In the months, weeks, and days leading up to freshmen year, I was terrified. Not only did I feel too young for college and a bit nostalgic about high school, my mind was swarming with thoughts like 'what if I get lost?' or 'what if I don't make any friends?' or 'what if I hate it there?'
Well, as I'm studying for finals and packing up my dorm room to head home for the summer, I can't help but reflect back at that time and think 'if you only knew.' Freshmen year has undoubtedly been one of the best, if not the best year of my life. Along the way, I have encountered some of the coolest people I've ever met, made a few mistakes, and have had the time of my life. As freshmen year comes to a close, I can't help but reflect back on some of the lessons I've learned my first year of 'adulthood' and what I wish I would have known my first semester.
1. Don't stress about not making any friends.
Before you know it, you're going to have people in your life you couldn't imagine life without.
2. You failed a test or exam?
It sucks but get over it; we all fail something at some point. Don't dwell on it and just make sure you do better next time. That one grade isn't going to define your GPA or your intelligence.
3. Try and eat a little healthier.
Endless pizza and ice cream, how could you say no, right? Wrong. Eat a salad every now and then. The ice cream and pizza will be there tomorrow and every day after.
4. Don't spend as many weekends in your dorm room.
There's a whole college town out there, go explore!
5. Never put an all-nighter.
You may have an important test the next morning, but your mind will thank you in the morning.
6. Talk to the people in your classes!
I understand you already have an amazing group of friends, but making a few friends in your classes can help you out in the long-run. For the people in the classes geared towards your major, talk to them! You're interested in the same things, and who knows, maybe they could be a future connection to a future job.
7. Go home every now and then.
I understand college is great and you're afraid of missing out on things, but your parents miss you more than you know, and who doesn't want to see their dog and eat a home cooked meal?
8. Do you have an early class in the morning but really want to go to a frat party with your best friend?
DO IT. You only live once and you're only in college for four years, so live a little. It's okay to do something crazy every once in a while.
9. Make friends outside of your friend group.
Your friend group may have some of the coolest people you have ever met in it, but there are literally thousands of potential friends out there. There are hundreds of students who could potentially be some of the coolest people you will ever meet, but you won't know unless you venture outside of your friend group.
10. Study harder and longer.
College is a different ball game than high school. Getting a good grade takes a lot more work than it did in high school.
11. Save your money.
I understand there are a lot of delicious places to eat in your college town, but they're not going anywhere and your bank account will thank you later.
12. NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE.
Honestly, you'll more than likely stand out if you have a face full of makeup and your hair done. If you just roll out of bed and throw on some sweats, no one will even notice.
13. Everything will be okay.
You're probably freaking out about everything at this point. You're in a new place with thousands of people you have never met. You probably feel homesick and very lonely, wondering if things will ever get better. You're probably stressing out because you can't make up your mind about what major you want to declare, that your workload is more than it was in high school, and you actually have to study to get an awesome grade. It's a hectic time in your life right now, but EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY. Before you know it, you're going to be having the time of your life wishing college would never end. Suddenly, you're going to be packing up your dorm room and studying for finals wondering, 'where did the time go?'
