Regardless of if you’re a community college student, a student at a small, private school, or a student at a larger university, you’ve questioned yourself at least once. You’ve debated quitting, and even told yourself you can make it in the real world without paying steep tuition bills. You’ve convinced yourself that living on your own is hard, and at least once you wished your Mom would visit and cook or do your laundry for you. As a college student, you’ve most likely had more than one bump in the road along the way. Not all students will experience the same things as one another, but they do all have two things in common: the desire to succeed and the desire to be happy. When you feel like giving up, feel like you’re not good enough, or feel like nothing’s going right, remember these 20 friendly reminders for the average college student:
1. The glass really is half full.
Optimism is the key in college. Without it, you’ll fail exams, not complete assignments, and things never will get better.
2. Speak up for yourself.
College is the first time in your life where you can really express yourself. If you don’t believe in something, say something. If something gets your seal of approval, share it.
3. Turn that frown upside down.
Life’s too short to be anything but happy, so why spend your precious moments upset?
4. Music is your best friend.
While you’re sitting in your room moping about being the only one who feels the way you do, think again. Don’t believe me? Listen to some music. You’re bound to hear a favorite artist of yours sing of rainy days and their later sunny skies.
5. Dress to impress.
One of the best ways to feel your best is to look your best. You’d be surprised how much a little dose of confidence can really boost your morale.
6. Find your happy place.
Declare a favorite place to resort to when you’re having a bad day. This place will be associated with good vibes, being able to clear your head, and remaining calm. Whether this is a beach, a park, a pretty side of campus, find a happy place.
7. Love yourself before others.
You may have heard an older family member tell you this before, but it really is true. Don’t look to friends or a boyfriend/girlfriend to be the solution to your problems. Of course they love you, but they’d love you even more if you loved yourself, too. When you love yourself, you’re the very best version of yourself.
8. What goes around, comes around.
Did someone break your heart? Did your roommate turn out to be the devil? Did your coworker sabotage you to get your fired? Regardless of what unjustly occurred to you, karma is out to get the ones who wronged you.
9. Your mom will always be your mom.
Even when you’re 22, a senior in college, and have everyone convinced you’ve got everything 100% under control, chances are you don’t. And when you need someone to talk to, your mom has got your back at all hours of the day.
10. Crying is okay.
Crying is natural, and you’re not a “cry baby,” “wimp,” or a “weak person” just because your emotions got the best of you. Don’t forget that crying releases tension, so you will most likely feel better after you shed a few tears.
11. Friends come and go.
It’s hard to go away to college and have your friend circles change because everyone is starting a new journey. But remember that for every friend that leaves, there’s a new one to be made.
12. Don’t look back.
All young adults have a tendency to compare their past to their present. Yes, you may have “seemed” happier last year, but think of all the reasons you have to be happy today.
13. Grades don’t define you.
Believe it or not, your grades don’t matter. They may determine whether you pass or fail, whether you get a scholarship or not, or whether you qualify for an internship, but they do not define you. One F doesn’t mean you’re a failure, and all A’s doesn’t mean you’re perfect.
14. Time is precious.
Don’t waste time worrying about the future that you have all planned out. Enjoy your friends today. Appreciate your health. Applaud yourself for how you are doing in school. Don’t waste away a good thing in efforts to be older, wiser, wealthier, or “happier.”
15. The sky’s the limit.
Dreams are essential to a person's success. Don’t ever settle for something. Know your worth, understand your capabilities, and keep a good grasp on motivation, determination, and your education.
16. Words cut like knives.
If you’re angry at someone, don’t lash out. Remember that you never know what someone is going through. You will go much farther in life if you understand how to calmly and maturely handle your disagreements with others.
17. Sleep is your other best friend.
If you want to improve your mental and physical health in efforts to succeed, you’ll need sleep. You’d be amazed how much better you will perform on a daily basis with some extra Z’s.
18. Life isn’t a walk in the park.
To whoever told you life would be easy and that success is easy to come by, they need a reality check. You will fall down. You will scrape your knees. You will be bleeding and in pain and not want to get back up. But you have to, because others are cheering for you.
19. Family is forever.
College is hard. There’s no other way to say it. But thanks to your family (and sometimes a close friend’s family) you always have a support system. If you need something, they’re there for you, so don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
20. Don’t let college be the best years of your life.
You may have heard the saying, “College will be the best four years of your life” at one time or another. Whatever you do, please do not accept that as the truth. Why on earth would you want your life to peak in your early 20’s? You have so much more time ahead of you. There’s marriage, kids, various jobs, new houses, and so many new adventures to look forward to. Enjoy college, and live each day to the fullest, but also remember there’s brighter days to come.
I know you’re chomping at the bit to land your dream job and start your “real life,” but don’t forget that the bumps along the way are what will shape you into that desired, future version of yourself.
