As I enjoy my last week of summer, I reflect and acknowledge the fact that I am a senior and this is the last year of college for my undergraduate degree. It feels like I was just graduating high school and in a few short months I will be walking across the stage for my college graduation. These past three years have been some of the best of my life and throughout these past three years I have learned more than I ever thought I could and have made relationships that I know will last a lifetime. Looking back I realize that I have not just received a degree for my program, but have also collected many memories along the way that were made by the special people I have had the pleasure of knowing over the past three, going on four years. Everyone's college experience differs and one main reason for that is often because of the school they choose to go to. I chose to go to a smaller, private school which I also feel played a large role in my college experience as a whole. Due to the small class sizes, professors were able to know all of their students and you could actually talk to the professor if you needed help. No one was just a number in a room. This also made meeting other students very easy since these students were often in many of the same classes that I was in. I have been blessed with an amazing college experience and I would never trade it for the world.
To the incoming freshman, this is the start of your own experience. Whether your experience is positive or negative is all based on the decisions you make over the next four years and how you let the experience effect you. Over the past few years I have gathered some advice that I wish I would have known when I was in your shoes. Although some experiences need to be experienced personally for them to matter, here are some tips and tricks I have learned along the way that will hopefully make your own time at college more enjoyable and a bit easier as you embark on this new journey.
College is a time to try new things and be the best you that you can be. Change can be scary at times but it can be all worth it as well. There is a good chance that when you start your freshman year, many of the people you knew in high school and the majority of your friend group will not be attending the same college that you are. This can be a good thing, this can be your own opportunity to create a new you and live a life that you may never have in high school. I was one of only a handful of students from my high school who attended the same college and the only one of my friend group. Yes, I will admit that it was scary and over the first couple days I became worried that I would not make any new friends and would deal with the college experience on my own. But not long after I met people who shared many of the same classes and through that became friends. You will meet friends though and they will create the greatest relationships you ever have.
Do not worry about the cliques that were present in high school. None of that matters in college. If you want to get to know someone do it, don't let labels and high school drama get in the way of what could be the best friendship of your life. In college it is not important to worry about the quantity of friends you have but the quality of them. If a relationship is toxic let it go, do not hang on for a fear of being alone. Many more people will come into your life over the four years you are at school so it is necessary to let people go and be okay with it.
Do not be afraid of failure. It is that fear itself that will cause you to do poorly, not your actual potential or ability to be successful in college. Do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it, whether it be from a professor, a classmate, or an advisor. No one can help you unless you let them know that you need it. Do not feel like you have to struggle on your own, there will be many other students with the same concerns as you. If you become overwhelmed let someone know. The staff at your college want to see you succeed just as much as you want to succeed. If things become too much let them know and they will do whatever they can to make your life easier.
Understand that not everyone takes the same path. College is not the right path for everyone and if you believe that it is not the right path for you then do not do it just because you feel like you have to. We live in a society that makes us believe that we must enroll in college right after high school in order to be successful but I do not believe that to be true. Take the path that is right for you and only you and will bring you the most happiness in life. That path may be enrolling in the military, going to a trade school such as automotive, or going to start a family. Just because it is not what everyone else chooses to do does not mean it cannot be the right choice for anyone and does not make you a failure for not following the standard.
So to the college class of 2020, enjoy yourself over the next four years. As cliché as it might sound and as oversaid as it might be, these four years will be the best years of your life so make the most of them while you can. It is when you are in the same position I am in now that you will wish to go back to your freshman year and live it over again. Create as many memories as you can and never be afraid of failure. Failure is only possible if you do not try. With a bittersweet feeling aching in my heart I say congratulations to the class of 2017, we have successfully made it to our senior year. It is with this that we welcome you, the class of 2020. Dream big. Live happily. Carpe Diem!
