College is supposed to be the best time of your life. You're supposed to find yourself and become your own person. You have spring break trips that leave you reminiscing for the rest of your lives and internships that shape the rest of your career paths. But, sometimes with all those great things you find yourself in ruts that knock you off your feet and before you know it you're crying on the floor in the arms of your roommate because everything crashed down on you all at once.
There's no way to completely prevent this, but you can take a few steps to soften the blow and minimize the damage.
Key #1: Find great friends.
Find your friends and hold them close. I couldn't have survived this year without my friends. They have truly been the only thing to keep me sane. I can't think how many times I wanted to move back home and go to my local college, but every time I thought about it, I couldn't fathom leaving the people who had become a second family to me and made my school in Kentucky feel like home.
Key #2: Don't stress over the small things.
I can't tell you how many times I've stressed myself out over things that don't matter. For example the number of hours of work I'll get a week, whether my shoes match the aesthetic of my outfit, or if the boy two floors down likes me. None of these things matter in the long run and they're not worth getting pre-mature gray hairs for. So, when it comes to this issue do as I say, not as I do.
Key #3: If a friend or a girlfriend/boyfriend makes you cry, drop them likes it's hot.
You deserve so much more than someone who doesn't see your worth. Don't let people hurt you. Just remember that someone else's opinion of you reflects more on them than it does of you. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Key #4: Find a secret place.
This can be a quiet coffee shop, a secluded spot in the library, or the perfect pair of trees for your ENO away from the rest of the world. No matter what this place is, find it. It's always fun to search for a place of your own when it seems like the rest of your campus and city has been touched by so many people. It's important to have one sacred place to call your own.
Key #5: Save sometime for yourself.
This one is so important. You can't expect to enjoy life without working on yourself a little. Take a hike, skip a class, do some yoga, read a book, journal. Do anything that you enjoy doing because if you don't take some time to enjoy your life, you'll quickly start to hate everything about college. If you don't do anything, do this one. I promise, you'll be glad you did it.
