Going to college has been one incredible ride. I traveled to 13 countries, met many incredible people, and ultimately learned a lifetime's worth of lessons about myself and the world. Here are 6 of the lessons I've picked up these last 4 years.
1. I learned the world is so much bigger than I could have ever expected.
Life was pretty simple for me before I went to college. I studied, I worked, I had fun with friends, and went to church. I would occasionally go on day trips to the coast, or camping trips with my church, and that was the extent of my travels. The summer after freshman year I was offered out of the blue the opportunity to study in Salzburg, Austria for two semesters. I said "sure, why not?"
To this day I know I would not be the same person if I hadn't said yes. I loved it so much I did it again and studied in Spain for another semester. Traveling changes you for the better-I recommend you do it when you can.
2. I learned life (and especially college) isn't like the movies.
I remember freshman year skipping classes left and right, and being floored when I received a low grade because of my numerous absences. But this is college! Shouldn't I be able to skip whenever I want, chill all the time, and just have to show up for finals? Where are all the keg parties? I still shake my head at myself for being so blockheaded.
Going to college isn't that easy-and neither is life. Life is messy and weird and uncertain-don't let all the carefully-edited #blessed Instagram selfies tell you otherwise.
3. I learned the world doesn't owe me anything.
Growing up I didn't have a lot, and I thought that because of that I deserved to have free college, a great job, and everything handed to me on a silver platter. Wrong. So, so, so wrong. I can't emphasize enough that if you don't put in the hard work, nobody is going to hold your hand and give you anything.
4. I learned forgiveness is a journey.
We all have emotional scars in our lives, whether it's because of our family history, personal choices, or terrible circumstances that were out of our control. I used to think forgiveness meant I had to make things right with people who hurt me. Now I realize forgiveness isn't something we do for others. It's something we do for ourselves. Forgiveness is about preventing pain and betrayal to control our lives.
"Forgiveness is about your own freedom from the grip of pain caused by someone else. In reality, forgiveness has nothing to do with the other person; it’s about you. Forgiveness does not need to be asked for because it isn’t done for the sake of the “offender.” It’s done for our own healing and well-being." -T. Ladipo
5. I learned not to take failure so personally.
I have failed over and over and over. I used to have a meltdown every time I did. What was wrong with me? I'm the worst person in the world. I should just quit, give up, drop out of college, then crawl under a rock and die. Thankfully that isn't the case anymore! I learned that failure is a better teacher than success. I learned the hard way how to not do things, and that's okay. It's not a reflection of who I am as a person. I learned to view failure as a learning opportunity and it has made all the difference. I am going to fail again in the future-and that's okay.
6. I learned to see life as an adventure.
Life can be crazy and hard sometimes. It can be unpredictable, it can be scary, it can be difficult. But it can also be incredible, fun, thrilling, beautiful, and extraordinary. I learned to say yes to new things, to take risks, and to take things as they come. These last 4 years have defined who I am. I wouldn't trade them for anything.
“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
