While a huge part of college is obviously going to class and getting an education, there are some lessons that can be learned only outside the classroom.
1. Coffee will be your best friend.
They weren't kidding when they said coffee will be your best friend in college. The caffeine high is real and even more so necessary for a college student with a packed schedule. When sleep’s not an option coffee is. Coffee is there for you during those late night study sessions and to warm your hands during cold walks. If you weren't a caffeine addict before you will be now. I hope you like the taste of coffee because you won’t be able to live without it.
2. Sleep isn’t overrated.
I remember the good ole high school days where staying up late on the weeknights was thrilling but now it’s just tiring. In college we stay up late for various reasons whether we spend our nights adventuring, partying or studying we prioritize most things over sleep. We always say we will catch up at a later date until exhaustion catches up with us. In college it is vital to get sufficient hours of sleep in order to function properly. I can tell you this much I am only a sophomore and I have learned that naps are no longer recommended but mandatory and I still have two more years to go, send prayers.
3. You will meet a few heartbreakers.
College is filled with all kinds of guys all with different motives and intentions, so it’s important to fish in the right ponds. There will be the charmers; whom will do whatever it takes to charm your pants right off, the flirts; whom flirt with everyone including their mothers, and then there will be the nice guys; don’t be deceived by their generic title these are the ones you should be looking for. These guys are sometimes better known as husband material and I believe it is in your best interest to “wife them up”. Of course it isn't always that simple and you will definitely kiss a toad or two before finding your Prince Charming. But be careful not to waste too much time with the toads you might miss out on the prince sitting right next to you in class.
4. You can always find a reason to drink (but don’t).
College may seem like it is one big party and it definitely can be but I suggest you don't allow that to happen. Social drinking is strongly prevalent on weekends but weekends aren't the only time college students engage in causal drinking. It will start on weekends including Thursday. Then you have to drink on Wednesdays because you have to celebrate wine wednesday. Then you have to drink Tuesday because it’s tequila tuesday and then Mondays for margarita mondays. I think you are catching my drift here basically you deserve a drink every day and there are endless reasons why its okay to do so but this is the issue. I can tell you this your liver won't be the only thing hurting because your grades will be hurting right alongside it.
5. You won’t be able to please everyone.
The consistent tug o war that you feel within yourself to please everyone will only worsen as you reach college. You must learn to let that go if you ever want to be happy. College will be a constant balancing act in which you will have to balance academics, socializing, and personal time in order to keep your sanity. Sometimes it isn't feasible to do everything in one day and you must recognize that; don't run yourself ragged trying to please everyone because ultimately you won’t be pleasing yourself. Do what it is that makes you happy with the people that make you happy and then you win.
6. You will call a new place home.
The last thing your parents want is to hear you call your college town home, but it really starts to feel like it. You’ll start to know your way around your college town even better than your hometown. Your college downtown area will become your stomping ground. You will start to formulate your favorites and even be able to recommend them to outsiders. College towns will always be your home away from home.
7. You will value your hometown more.
Even though you love your college town it doesn't mean you will love your hometown any less. If anything you will appreciate your time there more since it will be limited. In fact I start to think of home as a vacation in which I can be a tourist and discover all of its hidden treasures. Then when your college friends visit you get to play tour guide and explore some more. You start to value your time with your family and spend more nights in because you party enough at school anyways. Home will always be where the heart is.
8. Your priorities will change.
College really puts your life in perspective. Up until college I was always so worried about getting into college I had no plan for after. The problem is once you're in college you can’t use that as the excuse anymore; you actually have to figure your life out. The thought of life after college is so much scarier than life after high school. I remember hearing the age 20 and thinking “wow that person must have it all figured out” then you actually make it to 20 and you're like “wow either those people didn't have it all figured out or I am a little behind” either way you're concerned. College is supposed to be your time to find what you want to do with the rest of your life and it will open up many paths that you will eventually venture down during your time at your university. All these paths will have unexpected turns, potholes, and bumps that will either uproot you or keep you grounded but remember it is all up to you. Try out as many paths as possible the more chances you take the more you learn about yourself. All experiences good or bad teach you a little more about what you want and don't want and that is exactly the essence of college. College is just a road map and you hold the compass.
