Many of us grew up watching Disney movies, developing favorites that we'd watch so many times our VCRs would destroy the tape (remember those days?). However, many of us probably never thought about how influential some of the quotes of these movies could be in our college lives. These are some of my personal favorite motivational/descriptive quotes from Disney movies that I'm sure many of us know and can relate to in one way or another :)
1. Always let your conscience be your guide: "Pinocchio"
We've all had those times where we've listened to our gut instinct and lone behold it was the right thing to do. One of the most important, and difficult, choices all college kids have made is deciding where they want to go to school. Is the school too big? Do I want to live in 8 feet of snow? Do I really want to be this far away from home? All of these questions are ones that most prospective college students asked themselves before committing to their school of choice. However, listening to your heart and that little voice in the back of your head helped you make the right decision for yourself. Not to mention all the times that little voice helped you avoid uncomfortable situations by telling you not to say something or to avoid going somewhere.
2. Even miracles take a little time: "Cinderella"
The anticipation of waiting for an exam to come back after you didn't study for it is probably one of the most stressful times of your college career. When that grade comes back and it is one that you did not expect at all, it is almost as though a miracle has occurred. In this sense, that "miracle" that just occurred took longer than you preferred, but knowing the results the wait no longer seems as bad as it did.
3. Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten:
"Lilo and Stitch"
Whether it is your family at home or the family of friends you've made at your school through your involvement in Greek life or having the same major, or the ones you've held onto since high school, you know who matters to you most and who should be kept with you as you move through this important time in your life.
4. When life gets you down you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming!: Pixar's "Finding Nemo"
We've all had rough patches in our lives and although college can be a lot of fun, it is also a lot of work. The best way to push through it all is to think about how beneficial it's going to be in the long run. Once that fifteen-page paper is written or that test is taken, a weight will feel like it's been lifted off of your shoulders.
5. Do you hear that? It's the winds of change: Pixar's "Monster's, Inc."
Leaving the comforts of our high school hallways and seeing the same people every day is something every student that graduates goes through. However, the scariest part is where your life goes after you leave that comfort zone. The changes that take place when you join a college community, from the simple things of changing your mascot and colors to changing your location or entire circle of friends.
6. I never look back, darling, it distracts from the now. Pixar's "The Incredibles"
Don't live your life in your past; instead, move forward from old mistakes, badly ended relationships with friends or exes, or even a failed class from last semester. Don't let your past define who you are right now. Learn from your mistakes and don't let them take over your life now. The past cannot be changed but it can be learned from.
7. Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one: "Pocahontas"
Doing the right thing is not always easy. Standing up for someone getting bullied or returning a wallet filled with cash you could really use are not always easy tasks, but that feeling you get when you know you're doing the right thing is incomparable to any other.
8. The human world is a mess: "The Little Mermaid"
This one is pretty self-explanatory and relatable to most everyone. It seems as though just when you think you have things together, another exam or paper manages to creep up on you. Even though your life may appear to be all over the place, give yourself some time to keep everything sorted out. An agenda is a life saver and can help you keep your "mess" a little more organized.
9. The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of a: "Mulan"
As previously mentioned, trying to fit in is something all college kids do. Don't be afraid to stand out in the crowd and embrace who you are. If you want to go out and be the school mascot, do it. If you want to start a club about something you're passionate about, do it. Never be afraid to embrace who you really are because I can almost guarantee that there is someone just like you who is too afraid to do so.
10. Oh yes, the past can hurt, but the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it: "The Lion King"
Similar to Edna's philosophy, you can't live in the past and must continue to move forward from it. Running from your past and not realizing what happened doesn't benefit you either, but learning from it will. It is important to see how your past relationships and experiences have molded you into you are today and how they can help you become who you want to be.
11. Don't just fly, soar: "Dumbo"
Don't get lazy! Although just getting by seems like a good idea at the time, you're going to regret it. You're paying for your education, get the most out of it that you can. You've made it this far, now live up to the potential that you have.
12. If you don't know where you want to go then it doesn't matter which path you take: "Alice in Wonderland"
Going into college undecided, or with a major in mind that you aren't so sure about, can be stressful when you don't know what classes you should be taking next semester. However, it can be helpful to take courses in all different fields of interest to get an idea of what you really like. Taking courses that help you complete your core subjects is most beneficial, but if you don't know exactly what you need, you can't really go wrong getting your elective credits ahead of time.
13. Your identity is your most valuable possession. Never lose it: Pixar's
" The Incredibles"
Never lose your sense of self. When trying to make friends in school, don't try to fit it with a crowd that's nothing like you. Don't be afraid to try new things, but also don't completely change who you are simply to fit in. College is different in high school and there are plenty of people with similar interests to yours that won't want you to change the amazing person you already are.
14. If you don't think you shouldn't talk: "Alice in Wonderland"
Always think about what you say before it comes out of your mouth, especially in class. Before you say "I don't know" in class, try to think about what the professor is asking first. This same rule of thumb applies outside of the classroom, don't say things without realizing what you are saying first. Not only can this prevent you from saying something you didn't mean to, but it can also help you avoid creating uncomfortable situations for yourself.
15. The only thing predictable in life is unpredictability: Pixar's "Ratatouille"
You never really know where you are going to end up after college. You may be in school as a business major with intentions of becoming the next biggest CEO but you may find that you are happiest in a kitchen as a chef. You can't really plan your future, but the one thing you can expect is the unexpected.
16. Do not be followed by its commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts: "Aladdin"
Don't judge a book by its cover is something we've been told since we were kids. You never really know who a person is until you have a conversation with them and get to know who they are. That girl that may come off very arrogant can be the sweetest person or the one who seems the most trustworthy can be a big gossip. Never judge anyone based on their exterior, give them the benefit of the doubt and get to know them first.
17. I'm only brave when I have to be. Being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble: "The Lion King"
Never be afraid to stand up for yourself, but also don't be the person who makes others feel weak or starts trouble. Being brave means embracing who you are and not letting the negativity from others get to you.
18. The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem: "Pirates of the Caribbean"
The way you approach an issue is completely relevant to how you solve it. If you approach it in an aggressive or dreaded manner, you are going to hate the way you go about it. However, if you approach a situation optimistically, you may find an easier way to solve it. Approaching a long paper with a miserable attitude makes it so much harder to write; however, approaching it optimistically and making a plan for how to write it can make the task much simpler.
19. In every job that must be done there is an element of fun: "Disney's Mary Poppins"
We all dread having to write essays or study for exams, but finding a way to do so that makes it more interesting can make the tasks seem simpler and get done faster. Studying with a group of people who can help you understand the subject better can make those couple hours of studying seem like only a few minutes. Also, doing homework with motivational music on can help get the job done faster. Personally, I recommend music with no lyrics or lyrics that you don't know to prevent you from getting distracted.
20. You control your destiny -- you don't need magic to do it. And there are no magical shortcuts to solving your problems. Pixar's "Brave"
You are in control of who you are and what you will become. What you make of your college experience is up to you. Similar to Merida, do what you love and get good at it. To quote my high school band teacher "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." The only way to get through your problems and to get good at something you are interested in is to work hard and work with what you have to offer.
