1. Learning to take risks.
Every single person that is the slightest bit more experienced with college than you will tell you to take risks. But the fact of the matter is that taking risks is not something you're told to do. Taking a risk is something you learn on your own. Take this scenario as an example. Let's say you're sitting in your Intro to Somethinginterestingbutwillneverapplytoyourcareer lecture class, and someone makes a comment that suddenly insults you.
You know that you're never sensitive about that kind of stuff, but you come to realize that you're actually livid. You're fingers begin to twitch and you feel the glare from your eyes searing into the back of what's their name head. And than it hits you: I need to say something!!
You raise your hand and say a smart, awesome fact to correct the individual and their ridiculous views, and it ends up creating a discussion that will motivate you to finish the rest of the day without anymore coffee! My point is that no matter what the risk, the outcome will lead you to learning more about yourself and what you believe in. Leaders often emerge from taking risks, because without risk comes no reward. If you're about to start your first year of college, don't feel pressured to take risks as soon as you set foot on campus. Let the risk discover you.
2. Learning to say f*** it!
It is totally, entirely, and utterly acceptable to know when to just say f*** it. Yes, I was that freshman that stressed out way more than I should have about classes and assignments. "Oh, this is due in three weeks? Better start doing it now!" No. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to get ahead, but if you know an assignment is around your area of expertise, don't stress yourself out for no reason. Another tip of advice: don't stay up until 3 a.m. cleaning your room. You will be a hot mess the next day, I promise you.
If your room looks a little dirty and you know you have a big test coming up the next day, you learn to choose sleep instead. I'm saying this from experience because over-stressing in college is no fun. Basically, all you need to do is just sit back and relax while you binge watch the new season of Orange is the New Black.
Another time when you need to learn to say screw it is when you don't take opportunities that college is giving to you. Especially when the opportunities are free. Did I say free? Yes, believe it or not, most services and events on campus are free!
If you know your interested in marine biology, and you see a campus-wide email about a marine biology club, you just have to say sign me up! Netflix will not always be your best friend. Neither will your bank account when it sees the monthly fees adding up! (Side note, I love Netflix, I will never unsubscribe...) What I'm saying is that joining a club can lead you to internships and jobs, and what college student doesn't want an internship or a job? Yes, college is stressful, but there are ways to make it enjoyable too! What you will learn during your freshman year is that it is totally okay to sometimes just say f*** it.
3. Learning it's okay to reach out.
The biggest thing that isn't addressed to new students is that it is perfectly acceptable to reach out to professors.
"Wait, the teachers don't babysit you? What?"
Maybe I'm being a little over dramatic. Basically, college professors will not care if you do not turn in your assignments. I mean, you are paying for the class, right? The only time they will listen to you is if you approach them about a question and/or concern that you have. That is what teachers really admire. You could be barely passing the class, but if you tell the teacher that you know you're struggling, they will love you. Lots of different people will reach out to you in college, but when it comes to your classes, communication with your professors will be your best ally.
It doesn't matter if it's in person or via email, professors appreciate proactive communication. Most of them have jobs outside of teaching, as well as families and children. And if you don't think you need to maintain some sort of relationship with your professor? Honestly, good luck to you, my friend. You will learn for yourself how much or how little contact you will want to keep with your professor, but if your grade is slipping and you don't know why, it's the acceptable time to introduce yourself to the professor.
Reaching out also means to use the resources that your university offers, especially those involving mental health services. Many first year students don't want to be "labeled," but sometimes having someone to talk to about your stress is a good thing. Reaching out to a counselor can really help you in the long run through out your college experience.
4. Learning to let to go.
Woah. Life just got real. You're a big college kid now. It's guaranteed that you will miss your friends and family, and one of the hardest parts about moving to college is letting go of the past. What I mean by letting go is this: the past can only haunt you if you allow it to. If you felt like you had little friends in high school and your afraid of being excluded again in college, letting go of the past is the safest, most acceptable, and most respectable thing you can do for yourself.
You will literally drive yourself crazy if you obsess over negative things that happened in your life prior to college. If you're interested in being a leader on campus, it's better to focus on your future goals rather than to remain stuck in the past. Fear is the number one thing that holds college freshman back.
Many freshman are afraid to try new things or go the extra mile because of what the outcome will be. I was afraid that I was going to not do well academically because of my learning disability. But what I learned was that although we may face obstacles that are a small part of us, they don't define who we are. Sometimes college really isn't what it's hyped up to be, but it's the amount of hard work you put into being open to new experiences (trust me, it can be hard), and how much you're willing to let go of.
"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today." - William Allen White
