With my first year of college under my belt, I'd like to think that I've had three quarters of ups and downs, and quite a few lessons I've learned along the way that I think are best to be shared with everyone. Upon reflection, here are the most important pieces of advice I've gleaned from freshman year.
Always have an open mind: your experience, in any scenario, will be exponentially better if you keep an open mind. I might even go as far as to say that a little near-unrealistic optimism never hurt anyone. If you hold expectations about how your college experience will go, inevitably they are bound to be different in reality; but if you open your mind to the idea that even when something isn't imagined it can still be good, I guarantee you are going to be a lot happier.
Everything is temporary: roommates, classes, grades, impromptu dance parties, a bad night out, an uncomfortable or embarrassing conversation, cartwheel competitions in your dorm hallway--nothing will last forever. Both the good and the bad have their ends, so cherish the good, and be at peace knowing the bad will pass. Remember there's always an opportunity to change what you don't like, and to hold onto what makes you happy.
Judgment will ruin your experience: your business is no one else's business, and visa versa. It's okay to catch yourself judging someone, but consider checking yourself when you notice yourself casting assumptions on others. Your energy is going to be a lot better if you don't bother putting others down and you choose to ignore those who try anyone that gives giving out negative energy.
Develop a f*ck it attitude: this is something that I didn't really embrace until halfway through my first year. A f*ck it attitude basically means that if, upon evaluation of the opportunity in question, there's no serious danger in what you're considering, then, f*ck it. I'm not saying throw caution to the wind and risk it all, but if something sparks joy, I'd air on the side of pursuing it. Take some chances and if it ends up being a mistake, tomorrow is a new day.
Try to do it all: if something is interesting to you--rushing a sorority, taking a Yiddish cinema course, going on a roadtrip with your friends, do your best to make it happen. Join all the clubs you want, go out as much as you want to, and take all the classes you want. It's not realistic to think that you'll keep doing everything you try, but the memories you'll carry from giving everything a shot will a) make you an interesting person to talk to and b) fill your college memories with some unique situations. Do everything to the best of your ability--school, socializing, extracurriculars--and know that even if it doesn't all work out, you'll find a balance eventually.
Figure out your priorities: along with the burden of doing your own laundry, getting yourself up every morning, and doing your own grocery shopping also comes a liberating amount of freedom. You can do literally whatever you want, so it's important to know what exactly you want to be doing. These don't have to be your roommate's priorities, or your parents' priorities--your priorities. Take the time to figure out what matters most to you and keep it in mind when you're making decisions.
It's about the people, not the place: no matter how you feel about your school, its campus, or the state you're in, what is most pivotal to the college experience is the people you surround yourself with. Be picky with your friends, and don't be afraid if the first people you meet aren't your group forever.
Celebrate every moment: there are going to be some big moments in your first year of college--meeting your roommates, taking your first college test, attending the first gameday of the season, etc. There's also going to be little successes along the way, and they deserve just as much celebration as the big moments. From my experience, viewing any events as something worth recognizing makes every day more memorable.
Friends are made everywhere: I can't pinpoint one place that the majority of my college friends came from--classes, Greek Life, residential halls, nights out--you never know where you're going to meet someone you share a lot in common with. When it comes to meeting people, I would say that socializing is a two way street, and you need to be willing to put yourself out there when someone initiates conversation. Likewise, its okay to reach out to people, even when it puts you outside your comfort zone--the universe rewards those with good intentions.
Take pictures: capture every moment, whether its through your snap memories or a film camera. I promise you're going to want to look back at those babies.
Never shotgun a White Claw: too many bubbles.
