As second semester rolls around and seniors in high school are making or have made decisions about the colleges they'll attend, I want to provide my two cents worth of advice. I just finished my finished my first semester of college and I am by no means a college expert, but I did learn a lot from my senior year of high school to present.
1. Be excited about the school you're attending.
Whether the school you are attending is your dream school or your last choice, be excited about your future. There's a reason why you're going there. If you're dream school didn't accept you, don't fret, either prove them wrong or work hard to transfer in. It's a comforting feeling being at a school that wants you. You may find more in common with the school and people around you than you'd think.
2. Don't buy gear online for full price.
My first week of school felt like I won the lottery. Merchants and your school will more than likely give you all sorts of "free" merchandise (thanks mom and dad for the tuition) to wear around. if you're paying full price for a cotton tee shirt of your school, you're doing it wrong.
3. Make school a priority.
College is great because you are surrounded by events daily, whether it is intramurals, greek life, parties, new friends, etc., but make sure to start your first semester off with a strong GPA.
4. Put yourself out there.
I don't know if it's just the southern hospitality of my school, but most everybody genuinely wants to get to know you and are usually looking for new friends. Have confidence in yourself and you'll meet plenty of people across campus with similar interests as you.
5. Join a club or organization of your interest.
There are so many clubs and organizations across campus that are so diverse it's difficult to not find something you enjoy. You'll meet more people that way and develop friendships with people who value the same interests as you.
6. Establish your faith.
Christianity is an important topic to me, so I am biased here, but for those Christians entering college, it's vital to find a community that supports you. You are surrounded by ideas and religions that will differ from yours, and you'll learn, be confronted, questioned, and tempted by those around you. Find a church that supports you and teaches you how to grow as a Christian on campus.
7. Stay active.
In high school, I had all kinds of sports and activities filling up my day to day schedule, but for most of us, those activities disappear when we enter college. I encourage you to stick with some sort of exercise activity. I enjoy intramurals, they're a blast, even if you aren't competitive or the most athletic.
Everybody's journey is different in college, but I hope some of these tips proved helpful. People always say college is a time of self discovery, and I can't help but agree. You will be exposed to many different ideas than the ones you grew up knowing to be true and sometimes you have to decide what is right for you. Best of Luck!
