With spring break around the corner, I would like to reflect on my first semester of college. College can definitely be scary at first, but each day of the pivotal first months of college is a learning experience. I definitely experienced a lot, both good and bad.
1. Germs are everywhere
This is far from an overstatement. Germs are everywhere, and it is possible to get sick for weeks at a time. I don’t remember a day of my first month of college that I was completely healthy. Drinking water, sleeping well, and taking vitamins daily may cure the plague that comes with the first month of college, but all it takes is time, whether that be a day, a week, or even an entire month.
2. Target is a dangerous place
Yes Target does have everything but no, do not spend all your money there--I’ve learned this the hard way. Now I try to avoid spontaneous Target trips as much as possible, because I always leave wondering how some of my items made their way into my cart.
3. Say yes to everything
Well.. not everything.
I do admit that there are some things you shouldn’t say yes to, but in the first few weeks of college, saying yes to lunch with that girl from your sociology class, or putting your name down on a club sign up sheet can enhance or even completely change your college experience.
4. It’s okay to quit
We all know the phrase “quitters never win.” However, I don’t think quitting is the worst thing a person can do. Sticking with something you aren’t passionate for is 100 times worse than quitting. Sometimes all it takes is to admit to yourself that it’s not for you.
5. Failure is inevitable
In college, you will fail. My college experience is, and will be, far from perfect. Without failure, you don’t grow, which is why it’s important to experience failure.
6. No one is exactly like you
This goes without saying, but everyone is different. I shared almost every experience I’ve had prior to college with my twin sister. But as I came to college, I recognized that no one has the same experiences as me.
7. Living with a roommate is not as bad as it seems
Having to share a shoebox with someone who is initially a complete stranger does not sound like fun. However, late night talks in which you bond over your previous love for boybands, and having someone to drunkenly eat pizza rolls with is more fun than it may seem.
8. It’s okay to miss home
My first few weeks of college were so busy that I didn’t have time to be homesick. But as the semester progressed, I definitely started to miss home. It’s okay to miss home. I learned that keeping in contact with my family and friends from back home is super easy with the technology today.
9. Laundry takes up way too much time
The last thing I want to do on a Sunday afternoon besides homework, is laundry. I struggle to walk up and down three flights of stairs with a full hamper of clean clothes I will be washing again in the next week or so. It’s annoying, but you just gotta do it.
10. Alone time is scarce but necessary
It’s hard to get alone time in college, but when you do it’s a blessing. Hanging out with friends may sound like more fun than watching Netflix in your room alone, but I look forward to alone time during a stressful week of class.
11. Peer pressure exists
It may not seem like it does, but peer pressure is overwhelming on a college campus. This may not even be a bad thing--peer pressure can come in all forms. When everyone around you is going out on the weekends, or joining a specific club, it’s hard to not wonder why.
12. Clean room = clean mind
It may seem like a myth, but it definitely works for me. If I have free time and am surrounded my the clutter of mess that is my room, I want to clean it. The process itself isn’t too fun, but afterwards I feel so much better.
13. It’s okay to take a nap
or two, or three...I don’t even know how I made it through four years of getting up at 6am, because in college I can barely make it through the day if I have an 8am. I nap at least twice a week, because a 30 minute nap definitely boosts my energy. It may seem like you’re being unproductive, but I think naps actually encourage productivity.
14. Don’t procrastinate
I never really procrastinated until coming to college, but I learned quickly that I never procrastinated because I always wanted to leave time for the fun things. I would complete all of my assignments early so I wouldn't be stressed, and it definitely paid off.
15. You will miss food from your hometown
Growing up in New York provided me with ample opportunities to eat delicious pizza and bagels. Coming to a college in North Carolina has definitely made me miss this aspect of my hometown. I missed New York bagels so much, I asked my parents to send me some. It’s true that wherever you come from, you will miss the food there.
16. Don’t stress over little things
I definitely stressed over little things my first semester. Since I over think almost everything, I often create unrealistic scenarios in my head, or attribute qualities and thoughts to others which may not even exist. I’ve learned that stressing over little things is a waste of time in the big scheme of things.
17. You must put in effort
In college, nothing is handed to you-- you have to work for everything. Even if this means being the one to make the first move, whether that be with your friend, or someone you like, putting in no effort will only get you so far. If you want something, you have to at least try.
18. Everything happens for a reason
I know it’s extremely cheesy, but I live by these words. Everyone steps into your life for a reason, people leave for a reason and things happen to you for a reason. Even though in college you write your own experience, each and every experience in college good or bad, does happen for a reason.
19. Eating healthy is attainable, but hard to do
Sure, the dining halls have a lot of healthy options, but it’s hard to turn down chicken nuggets and mac and cheese. Eat a salad for lunch, and you won’t feel as bad eating chicken nuggets for dinner, right?
20. It’s not about what you’re doing, it's about who you're doing it with
Obviously no one’s life in college is full of adventure and spontaneity. I’ve learned from my first semester that I enjoy spending time with my friends, and if that means sitting outside and listening to music and that’s all, that’s okay. With the right friends, a night in watching a movie and doing face masks can be just as fun as a night out.
