When I was younger, I was a taught an incredible message: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." I took those words to heart as a young entrepreneur and quickly started what was to become a Lemonade Stand Empire, but as I got older, I learned the true meaning of those words.
When I look at that phrase now, I see the words, "When life hands you obstacles, take them and improve them for the betterment of yourself." I never quite understood what it meant up until the summer before my sophomore year of college. So much change happened once I entered freshman year, and going into sophomore year, I am beginning to reflect on these changes.
1. Friends will come and go, and that's OK.
If there is one thing I took away from my few years as a Brownie Scout, it was "Make new friends and keep the old, one is silver and the other gold." I am one of the few people in my high school friend group who chose to leave the nest that is home and go away to school. This meant that, although most were staying and going to community college, we would all be going separate ways and meeting new people. This idea is still one that I am struggling with, as I am a sentimental person and have a lot of trouble letting go, but sometimes people just move on and find a new status quo, and that's OK. If the friendship between you and the other person is meant to be, then it will be.
2. Hearts will break.
I had a great relationship for the last two years of high school, and we decided to try the whole "long distance" thing. It was a weird adjustment, but we managed.
Side Note: Before you continue reading this part and get discouraged about long distance relationships if you happen to be currently dating someone, don't be. Give it a try.
Well, it eventually came to an end. It was just too hard and there were other reasons, etc. Sometimes, long distance can be a strain, and college is such a new, exciting place that sometimes people want to try new things without having to worry about a significant other (it's a common thing, but again, don't be too discouraged to at least try it out). College is all about exploration, and yes, getting your heart broken does suck, but give it some time and you'll feel back to your old self again. If it ended on a good note, don't be afraid to try the whole "just friends" option -- but. of course, make sure you feel comfortable before jumping into a friendship with your former boyfriend or girlfriend, as these things take different amounts of time, depending on the people involved.
3. Follow your heart, even if it's a confusing mess.
Hi, my name is Brianna and I'm the most indecisive person you'll ever meet. I recently struggled with the decision to transfer schools. I love attending Rider University, but the major I started freshman year with kept fluctuating with me and only recently have I decided not to continue with it. I was going to try something new at my community college for many reasons, but then one night, I was lying in bed awake until 3 a.m., a few measly hours before I needed to get up for work, and had what could have been the earliest midlife crisis I will ever experience. I texted everyone near and dear to me, hoping they were still awake, and practically begged them to tell me I wasn't crazy for having second thoughts about transferring.
After that little fiasco, I chose to stay at Rider in the end (yay!), but it was all quite the frustrating experience for me. I really didn't care for my major like I thought I did, and the major I wanted to try wasn't offered at my current school, but I knew one thing for sure: the second major I am pursuing currently is one of the only things that has remained consistent throughout my life. So, in the end, I am not only staying, but I'm pursuing that one consistent major and continuing my college journey at the best school.
4. It's quite alright to feel a little homesick.
Again, this was another deciding factor in my confusing mind game of "Should I stay or should I go?" Ever since my winter break, I got used to being home again and dreaded the thought of returning for my spring semester, but spring semester ended up being a blast! I still couldn't shake the homesickness, though, but I figured out a nice trick.
I'm lucky enough that my school is an hour away from my hometown, so I could always just get picked up and go home for the weekend or, if I have my car on campus, drive myself home whenever! Most people aren't as lucky as I am, though, but there's always a solution. I had a roommate my freshman year who was from Long Island, New York (shout out to you, Allie!). She didn't go home as often as I did, but when she was given the opportunity, she took it. So, if you're a bit far from home and feeling homesick, you could always plan something, whether it be your family coming to visit you for a few days, taking a train home for the weekend, or even just frequent Skype or FaceTime conversations to get you through until the next break or opportunity.
5. Whether we like it or not, college is the time to grow up and change...
...and a little change never hurt anybody. Sure, there could be friendship loss, heartbreak, major life crises and the thought of not wanting to leave the house in which you grew up because being an adult is scary -- but everyone goes through it and comes out a better man or woman.
Doesn't it happen every year anyway? I mean, think back to your life up to this point. How many things are still the same as they were when you went to elementary school, middle school, high school? Not much! Maybe you held on to more things from high school, which is great! But coming from experience, I have one friend from elementary school still and I've certainly moved on from my traumatic middle school years (haven't we all?). I am more mature and open-minded now.
In just one short year, a year that hasn't even come to an end yet, I have grown so much from these experiences.
So, next time you're feeling down about any of the above, I hope my advice and personal experiences could help to guide you down a positive path. You are you, and only you control your future. The people that frequent your life help to shape that future, but only you can take that shape and mold it into the best thing for yourself.
If you need a little more guidance, please feel free to comment down below and share with your friends and family, as they could always help to add a little more insight to these above topics. Oh, and if you ever need advice on starting a Lemonade Stand Empire, well, you've come to the right gal!
