As 2016 comes to a close, I find myself thinking about where I was when the year began. For starters, I was a senior in high school. Now, I'm finishing my first semester of college, and it feels like high school was ages ago. In honor of the end of another year, I thought I'd share some important (and not so important) things I learned this year.
1. People Will Betray You.
While it's nice to think that everyone has your best interest at heart, that's simply not the case. People will hurt you, disappoint you, and let you down. It's how you come back from it that matters.
2. High School Is A Joke Compared To College.
This one is especially for my high school seniors out there. I know college looks like a place to go out and party every night (believe me there have been weeks where I do just that). But its also a place where you can't beg your teacher for an extra credit opportunity after you ignored the first five she offered. You have to keep your priorities straight, or you'll be heading home before you know it.
3. But, Grades Aren't The Only Important Things In College.
Yes, grades are a vial part of success in college. However, it is so important to have a social life as well. For me, part of that was joining a sorority. For others, it may also be getting involved in greek life, or joining a club or sports team. College is supposed to prepare us for the future. The future doesn't involve sitting in your room all day studying for your bio exam. While of course grades matter, so does meeting new people and trying new things.
4. Facebook Is Still A Thing.
Here I was thinking that the only people who still went on Facebook were trolls and moms who had nothing better to do. I was wrong. Once you're in college, you have to have a Facebook. That's the only way anyone seems to find out about anything, and if you didn't get invited on Facebook, were you really invited? Advice for 2017: delete all your old pictures and get your Facebook back.
5. Leaving Home Is Different For Everyone.
For me, leaving home to go to college wasn't that hard of a transition. For other people I know, it was extremely difficult. Both of these are fine. Having an easy transition doesn't mean you love your family any less, and having a difficult one doesn't make you weak.
6. It's OK To Make New Friends.
I thought that when I came to college I would still talk to all of my friends from home every day. While I still keep in touch with them, I have made so many new friends that I can't imagine not having in my life. At first I felt bad, and I felt that I had betrayed them by not talking to them as much as I could. Then I realized that meeting new people was a part of the college experience. I wasn't replacing my friends from home, just adding more.
8. The Gym Is An Amazing Invention.
I promised myself that once I got to college I would take advantage of the newly renovated gym (FSU's Leach is a work of art) and stay in shape. Going to the gym makes me feel better regardless of how badly my day is going, and it always leaves me feeling refreshed and productive. It's also kept me from succumbing to the Freshman 15, which is a miracle in and of itself. So thanks Leach, your hard work is appreciated.
9. Anything Can Happen.
Donald Trump was elected President, the Dallas Cowboys are 11-2 (shoutout to my New York Giants for those two Ls), and people are getting mad about everything. If 2016 has taught me anything, it's that quite literally anything can happen. Regardless of the circumstances, the possibilities are endless, and nothing is over till it's over.
I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year! Let's make 2017 a good one (please, we need it).
