Rod Stewart said it best, “ I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger.” Everyone has been there before, having those “Damn, why didn’t I say anything, or “Why did I do that,” thoughts. A lot of us wish we could erase some aspects of our past, because we are more mature than we were, and realize that our decisions weren’t the best at the time. As time went on, I began to understand that regretting events won’t change how you feel about them. Never regret something you wanted at the moment. Use those past experiences as a guiding light for when you make new decisions.
1. Communication is key.
Whether it be with roommates, professors, friends, hookups, significant others, parents, etc. communication is vital in order to maintain a healthy relationship. If you do not like something that somebody said, tell them. If you do not like what somebody did, let them know. How will anything be known if you don't express how you feel? Life is too short to hold grudges. Being able to communicate effectively is one of the most essential tools you will learn in college, and will help you succeed in the future. John Mayer once told us “It’s better to say too much than never to say what you need to say.”
2. These are our selfish years.
It’s okay to put yourself first above others. I wish I knew that in the beginning of the year. It is perfectly okay to choose activities, clubs, groups, etc. that benefit you and your interests. Be selfish, do what makes you happy. You are at college to earn a degree to begin a job fit for you. Don’t let others dictate or even define your experience at college. Create your own path for these 4 years, follow your heart. We have every right to only surround ourselves with people that bring out our best, make us happy, and are genuine people. I should have known not to waste my time on people who don’t care about me or my interests.
3. You will not find your husband at a club on a Saturday night.
You might find some much-needed company for the night, but boys are there for the same reason you are, to have fun. Don’t get me wrong, it is always exciting to find new boys to have fun with, but they aren’t looking for anything serious at a sweaty, crowded college party. No matter how hard you try to make it work, it usually does not end up in your favor. I wish somebody would have told me before I began college that you don’t need a boy to make you happy. They might make you happy for a small amount of time (literally), but they do not have your best interest at heart if you find them at a club. Look in the library, I’m sure your prince charming is studying hard to buy you that blacked out Range Rover you’ve always wanted.
4. Joining a sorority would be the best decision I would ever make.
Joining a sorority not only changed my life for the better, but I am so blessed and lucky to have more than 160 sisters who love and care about me. I wish I knew heading into college that joining a sorority would introduce me to some of the most wonderful women I have ever met in my life, and has brought me girls that will forever be apart of my life. Going Greek not only changed my outlook on college, but it has allowed me to be apart of something greater than myself.
5. People will judge you no matter what you do.
Like my mother always says “You could be the ripest, juiciest apple on the tree, but there will always be somebody who hates apples” In college, you will find people who love you for you, and you will never have to change for them. It has taken me a while, and I am still working on it, but you shouldn’t care about what people think of you. Keep your head up, and do you. Be yourself, do what you love, and don't let anyone stop you.
College is a time to learn. We learn about ourselves, we learn about who we want to become, and we learn what makes us happy. I wish I knew certain things going into my first semester of college, but I am happy I didn’t know them at the time because it gave me an opportunity to learn what I truly deserve for the next four years.
