Congratulations to the Class of 2018! You all are off to great places. I'm not going to lie: freshman year was hard for me but it definitely went by fast. Being in college is an exciting experience but it is actually a lot harder than it looks. For example, in movies and TV, college is four years of non-stop partying and drinking. But in reality, college is non stop studying with little to no sleep.
While college is hard, it'll definitely be some of the best years of your life. To help you along the way, here are some truths you should know to help navigate yourself through your college years:
1. Start looking for jobs and internships ASAP
This is the perfect time for you to explore occupations to see if what you want to do is actually want you want to do. Or, if you are not sure what you would like to do in the future, this will either help you figure it out or show you what you definitely do not want to do.
2. Your professors have heard it all
Don't make lame excuses, because professors have heard them countless times. Learn more about what excuses professors have already heard. They have enough experience to tell if you're lying about why you didn't turn in your research paper.
3. What you do outside the classroom is way more important than a degree
Just going to class and getting good grades isn't enough to put yourself in a position to greatly succeed post-grad. Half the fun/misery of college is balancing a hectic schedule of work, school, studying, internships, projects, social life, hobbies, fitness etc.
In order to get the career you want, you have to find people to get yourself in front of, companies you want to work for and environments you enjoy spending your time in. These will be the things to accelerate your career after school. Not your 3.9 GPA from spring semester.
4. Say goodbye to breakfast
Since you'll be waking up late, you'll be having breakfast very rarely. So in case you're planning on bodybuilding and maintaining a healthy diet, you have to be super determined and maintain a healthy schedule. More than 90% fail to do so. So try and be one among the remaining 10%.
5. There will always be someone better
If you think you're the best at something, don't be overconfident with it because there WILL be someone or the other who is better than you at that same thing. At times like these don't give up on yourself , work even harder if you have to, and eventually accept the fact that there are other people who are as good, and move on with it.
6. College is one big wake up call
Many people wake up to the fact that they are miles away from their parents for the first time in their life. Some people use this as an opportunity to establish some form of level-headed independence, others use it as an opportunity to go hog wild. In college, no one is going to hold your hand and lead you to your next class. As far as "survival" is concerned, it's you and only you.
7. Friends don't last forever
You can't hold onto everyone — there are too many people. After a few years of college, when you stop coming back home as often, you'll find that your relationships with your high school friends are a lot harder to maintain. This isn't anyone's fault.
8. Nobody Is Going To Really GAF About What College You Went To After You Graduate
You might be super proud about getting into the college you did, and you might be super amped that you graduated summa cum laude, and all that crap. But guess what? Nobody is going to effing care. You're entering the same bleak workforce as everybody else. You'll brush shoulders with people who went to schools you've never heard of, schools that you'd never be able to get into, and schools you thought were below you. Your alma mater doesn't make you a better employee, so don't get caught up in that.
9. You honestly might not even love your college experience
At the end of the day, college is what you make of it. If you take advantage of studying abroad, having amazing teachers, and maintaining some great friendships, you'll at least have something nice to look back on. If you don't put much effort into it, don't expect to have fond memories. If you aren't crazy about college, that's okay, too.
10. It can get lonely
In most college movies and TV, the characters go to a frat party and easily become friends with the people they meet there. In reality, you'll likely feel like a little fish in a big pond. Find something you enjoy doing like joining a club or an intramural sport. Unfortunately, everyone experiences loneliness at some point in their lives but it will definitely get better, trust me.
