Finishing the first year of college comes with a plethora of reflection. I remember a year ago being so excited I would be attending the best university in the nation (gig 'em!). I remember the expectations of college and the thoughts I had regarding what it would be like. In my personal opinion, having too much expectation is where I went wrong in the first place. I had set up in my mind of how college would be, but I know the Lord always has something so much better. Leading my first reflection.

1. College is a time for you to grow.

You do not know everything when you come into college. I know you feel prepared. I know you think you are invincible, but college means growth. Unfortunately, growth requires a little pain. This growth may be spiritual, emotional and you better bet it is going to be academic. Do not limit the possibilities. Use the growth. It will make you a better person.

2. Stay true to your convictions.

Coming into college, I thought “it is the time everyone messes up.” Wow, what a way to come into college. I thought drinking would be a norm, drugs were a norm and sleeping around it just what happened. Boy, was I wrong. Thankfully the Lord protected me from many of these things. College can be so fun without those things. You do not have to go to parties and get drunk to enjoy college. Live for the late night Fuego and cookie dough. It is so much better and leaves you in a better mental state. There are other people in college with similar convictions to you. Stay true to yours. Other people will respect them, but you must respect them first.

3. Do not focus on finding your future husband.

Wow. So much of my first semester of college was so focused on thinking I should be “on the hunt” for my future husband. What a waste of mental power. Find some great girlfriends and go on weekend trips and have facial nights. It is so fun and you have people who will support you when the time comes for that boy to enter your life. Everyone in college seems to be weird about guy/girl friendships because they are afraid it may look like something else. But, when you find a guy you can be friends with, enjoy just having that friendship and enjoy their perspective on life.

4. You will be friends with people you never thought you would befriend.

Oh, the people you’ll meet. Even going to a college like Texas A&M, which many people think is a low-key Christian school, there is so much diversity. People with different perspectives, people who are interested in things you didn’t even know existed, people who could be a world leader in 15 years. But the cool thing is, you get the opportunity to be their friend. Be friends with people who don’t look, think or dress like you. You will be amazed at what you can learn simply by being friends with someone who you didn’t think you could ever be friends with. Learn something from the people in your classes and the person down the hall from you. Be nice to everyone, make friends with the custodians, help somebody who dropped something. It makes life better serving people. You honestly learn so much.

5. College is about more than grades.

I came into college thinking all I would do is study. I thought every moment of my life in college would be focused on studying. My first semester I studied every moment I could, I made a strict study schedule, I thought I had to have all A’s. I was crushed when my hard work brought me to a place of having to drop biology. But, I learned, that without taking the time to hang out with friends and have fun, studying all the time is useless. You will not retain as much if you are miserable. Grades are important, but getting involved and loving what you are doing is important. Find a church, organization, and friends to require time outside of studying so when you do study, you find it bearable.

All in all, college is great. It sucks sometimes, but it is so great. The opportunities for growth are worth so much more than what you put down on a resume for an employer. Use this time to grow. Learn about what you love. Follow your passions. Love people. It makes the college experience so much richer.