Our brains are like sponges. We absorb so much information that we retain for the future. Looking at college, we sit through lectures, labs, symposiums, and learn so much. But what about beyond that? Grateful for the knowledge we do get passed onto us, college teaches us so many things beyond the classroom that not only help us with our overall academic goals but in life in general.
Time management
First and foremost, you're at a school you're paying for, for school. That is the priority. Social life, Greek life, family, and anything else basically are classified as less important. It can be super annoying when you want to go out with friends but you have a huge paper due at the end of the week. Let's all be real, the paper probably won't get done until maybe a night or two before, but that just makes us aware of how we're using our time. It also makes us think; do we really need to go grab food really quick? Do you really need to watch another episode of the series you're binge watching? College teaches you to balance time. Although it may not be exactly balanced (one aspect needing more time than the other) it makes us aware of what priorities are, and how to plan accordingly next time.
Take "promises" lightly
If I had a dollar for every time I heard " I promise I'll visit you " or " I promise we'll keep in touch " or anything that started with " I promise," I'd have enough money to buy decent groceries for the month. People are busy. People's minds get congested with other things that are happening in their lives, and most like likely, this promise will never cross their mind again. They aren't being mean, they're being active with their lives. Just don't forget to check in every once in a while.
Friends come and go
College will be one of the best places in your life to meet lifelong friends. Classes, Greek life, clubs, the library, gym, etc. are always loaded with students. In connection with taking promises lightly, people get busy. Someone you became friends with at the beginning of the semester can slowly slip away. Even people you were super close with could end up with different priorities. Could be different issues and interests, could be because they're just busy, but hey, you'll meet a BUNCH of other great people throughout your college career. Some stay, some go.
Money management
Money management is by far the hardest thing I've done in college that isn't required academically. Food is something I like splurging on. I'm a huge fan of my dad's tri-tip steak, the sides he has, and all the stuff he uses to hook it all up. If I wanted to pull off a meal like that, that would easily be $60-70. I could easily get two week's worth of food for that much.
With that, reach for the store brand. Get the off brand. Save that extra two bucks to hopefully splurge for that one killer meal that reminds you of home cooking. College has helped me save money and budget my accounts. Yeah, it may be a mess, and my funds may be very low, but picking and choosing necessities goes a long way.
Your inner parental instincts
If you're anything like me, you worry. Am I getting too much sleep? Should I really drink another one? Should I go see a doctor for this? The questions are endless. It makes the adulting all more real when you recognize that you're thinking about these questions. It makes it even more real when you start passing your parental instincts onto your friends.
Remembrance
College will trap you in a glass box of emotion. Remember high school? How one day you were a clueless freshman and the next you were a senior fighting senioritis? Do you remember how fast it all went by? Remember college. Remember all of the ups and downs and struggles you went through to get that piece of paper with your name on it. Remember all of the semi-memorable nights, all the late night runs to get food, all of the people you met. Enjoy it all. It goes by way too fast
I'm so grateful for the education I'm getting but I'm also equally as grateful for the experiences that I've learned from outside of that classroom. Here's to many more memories!
