There's no doubt that being in college can be one of the best times of your life, but it can also be one of the craziest. It's important to keep these things in perspective to help you have a little more fun and a little less stress.
1. Don’t be afraid to make new friends in college
I know it’s scary to branch out of your normal group of friends that you’ve known since your freshman year, but now is the time to figure out who you really are! Meet new people, experience new things and the amazing friendships you’ll make might surprise you.
2. Don’t be stuck in high school
Yes, you had amazing times with your hometown BFFs. Yes, a lot of your stories are funny. Yes, they will always be friends that you share amazing memories with. No, you do not need to live in the past. Now’s your chance to make new memories and do things that you’ll be able to tell your kids to NEVER do. I mean, you’re making the mistakes so the people you love won’t have to, so it’s fine, right?
3. Failing one assignment will not kill you
Yes, I know it sucks. Maybe you studied all week for that exam and it was just impossible, or maybe you just stayed up all night the night before because they just put a new season of "Grey’s Anatomy" on Netflix this week and you just HAD to find out what happened to McDreamy before you could even BEGIN to focus on Calculus. Either way, it’s not the end of the world. It does not mean you’re stupid. Get up, brush yourself off, grab another cup of coffee and start studying for the next one.
4. Don’t forget that you’re there to learn
I know it’s tempting when all of you’re friends are going to a frat party on a Tuesday when you have a test the next day. Let me just tell you from my own experience, no, you will not be able to go for an hour and then come back and study all night. It doesn’t work like that. Just remember that there will be other parties, and your future self will definitely thank you when you’re not struggling to pull up your grades with one week left in the semester.
5. Be active and participate in extracurricular activities
Getting involved on campus is super important. It gives you the opportunity to meet people that have the same interests as you, even though they might not be in your same friend group. It’s all about branching out and meeting new people (plus, having something to put on your resume doesn’t hurt either!).
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff
OK, maybe you didn’t go to the gym this week because your teachers all decided to plot against you and give you more homework than you’ve ever had in your entire life. Maybe you forgot to turn in an assignment or forgot a friend’s birthday because you’ve been up all night every day this week and you are slowly losing your mind. I promise that hell week will end, and that this stuff does not matter in the long run. Stay focused, push through it, and think about how much fun you’ll have when you get to go out for the first time after you get your work done.
7. ALWAYS say yes to coffee
Trust me, no one is better off because they set themselves to a one-cup a day limit. It’s OK to have your third cup at three in the afternoon if that’s what keeps you going. Take it from someone who basically has coffee running through her veins, there are worse things in life than having a tiny caffeine addiction (even if it’s not so tiny!).
8. The memories you make in college will last forever
Have the time of your life. Live it up for the years that you have at college, because those are the days that you are going to remember. You won’t remember the days where you just couldn’t bring yourself to get out of bed to do homework before class, or the days that you didn’t get enough sleep because you were having fun with your best friends. You’re young, you’re hot, and now’s the time for you to enjoy it!
