Everyone learns new things in college. Time management, budgeting, how to do laundry, how to not burn ramen, how to keep up with classes… the list could go on. We may be paying for an academic education, but there are life lessons that we learn on our way. It’s the first time we’re away from our parents and our community that we grew up in. Of course, for the practical things there’s always a student down the hall who may know how laundry machines work or the guy who for food, will help with your car. And if there aren't any of those people around, we have YouTube tutorials and WikiHow.
There are a few lessons though that I have found can’t be taught in a class or from someone else. They really are just something that you learn through trial, error, and experience. Like the Brazilian lyricist and novelist Paulo Coelho said, “Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience."
1. You have to try new things.
The amount of times I stepped out of my comfort zone in the first week alone is crazy, and I'm generally pretty good with new experiences. I did things I never thought I'd do and went to things I'd have never even considered back home. Even if the trying of something new is as far out as trying that funky looking dish in the cafeteria, you eventually have to do it.
2. You have to experience new (and sometimes weird) people.
I came from a home-school family so for me, experiencing so many people with so many views on the world was something that shocked me. I was more used to the international students (my family on my mom's side were all missionaries) than I was used to people who supported a different presidential candidate. And while I don’t think that it was normal, there was even a girl who barked at me.
3. Your family still wants to hear from you
I thought that surely my mother would be happy to get her first kid out of her hair, and my sisters to not have their oldest sister around. But starting on day one my mom was calling wanting to hear every detail (OH MY GOSH MOM) and after a week or two my sisters would contact me with vague questions or shoot me a goofy picture. Your family might pretend you’re annoying, but deep down they love you and want to hear how you’re doing.
4. Motivation
I’ve always been a more motivated person than your average Joe, but suddenly--with the disappearance of my mom and the appearance of an alarm clock--the day seemed to be so much harder to start. My bed became my comfort place where I could ignore the homework piling up in my book bag.
Comment below with what you've learned in college!
