'Tis the season of graduations and grad parties. As I have attended the high school graduation of my best friend and her party, I cannot help but reflect on my college journey so far and what I hope hers will be. These are a few things I have learned, and wish someone would have shared with me before I began my college journey. Let me share with you what I shared with my friend in hopes that as you begin or continue your college journey you will make the most of it and live life to the fullest.
1. Explore yourself.
College is a great opportunity to reinvent and discover yourself. Whether you are living at home or are far away from home, you will be meeting many new people and engaging in new experiences. Don’t let your past define you. Spend some time evaluating who you are now, and thoughtfully consider who you want to be (and what it will take to get you there). Take this opportunity to become who you want to be and really express your authentic self.
2. It's okay to not be okay.
A crucial life skill to aid you in exploring yourself is recognizing when you are not okay. It’s okay to not be okay. No one is expecting you to be happy, healthy and all-put together all the time. It’s important though to focus on yourself and take care of yourself when you need to. While college is a great opportunity to explore yourself as an independent individual, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Reach out to your parents, friends, professors and other resources on-campus. Be sure to surround yourself with people you can count on and can look to for help.
3. Put yourself out there.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there to make new friendships. College is a great opportunity to form relationships since you will be surrounded by like-minded people. Be brave and show your true colors rather than hiding behind a mask or pretending to be who others expect you to be. By being your authentic self, chances are that you will find others like you and build authentic, lasting friendships.
4. Branch out.
As a college student, you will be presented with infinite opportunities, from classes you can take to activities to get involved in. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way! I was inspired by the movie “Yes Man,” where a cynical guy, Carl, challenged himself to say ‘yes’ to everything in his life.
"Probably some of the best things that have ever happened to you in life, happened because you said yes to something. Otherwise things just sort of stay the same."
As Carl discovered, you never know what you’ll find out about yourself by trying new things. Be sure to get involved. At the University of Dayton (UD), community is important and I suggest that everyone engage in their college community.
5. Work hard, play hard.
Your days may seem long and the work endless, but before you realize it will be over. Don’t anticipate, participate. Live in the present and in the moment, not for some future that might not happen. Personally, I look to Ferris Bueller for inspiration on how to say ‘yes’ and make the most of life. As Ferris said,
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop & look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Definitely work hard, but be sure to play hard too like Ferris. Go on adventures! Make some memories to treasure. (Be sure to take pictures!)
6. Embrace change.
You will be facing many changes in your life during your college journey: be sure to embrace them. Be proud of yourself! Be proud of who you grow to become and embrace the path that took you there. Embrace the good and the bad experiences, even your mistakes, because they have shaped who you are. You are an amazing, unique individual. You need to embrace that and not let anyone treat you like anything less.
For those of you beginning your college journey, I know that you will love it and wish you the best of luck. For those of you that have already begun, I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey and make the most of it.