Growing up, we are taught a wide array of valuable life lessons. Our parents try to teach us to the best of their ability in hopes of preparing us for the harsh realities of the world. Yet upon coming to college, I realized in a weird series of events that the lessons I was taught in my childhood are actually more relevant to me now as a college student than they were to me when I actually was a kid. Instead of overlooking these lessons, it’s important to actually consider them in our everyday routines as college students. Here are five childhood lessons that apply to college life.
1. Look both ways before crossing the street.
This was such a simple concept to us back when we were kids, but now that we’re in college, it seems like everyone has forgotten about it. It’s pretty evident that college students aren’t the best drivers, but as a pedestrian, it’s your responsibility to look both ways before you cross. Even at the busiest of intersections on campus, it appears that pedestrians obliviously walk in front of cars, and it breaks my heart to hear that so many students fall victim to hit and run accidents. After all, crosswalks were made for a reason, guys!
2. Eat your vegetables.
Remember how our parents used to beg us to eat our vegetables before being rewarded with dessert? Well, as a college student, dessert doesn’t even stand a chance against all of the late night drunk food options. Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Zaxby’s — you name it, the possibilities are endless. Once or twice isn’t that bad, but it’s so easy to get caught up in these bad eating habits if you forget to balance them out with healthy foods, too. So remember, eat your vegetables. You’ll thank me later.
3. Use your manners.
As we grow up, we learn a lot of new words and phrases. From curse words to short abbreviations like “thot,” our society has gotten pretty creative. It’s so easy for our everyday vocabulary to get accustomed to this type of language, but it’s important to remember that you never know who is around you on a college campus. Potential employers, professors, or even prospective students can be standing by you at any given moment. Therefore, it’s always wise to use your manners and be on your best behavior in public settings.
4. Don’t take things from strangers.
This is a major key to success. NEVER take anything from a stranger. Why do you think the phrase “stranger danger” exists? As kids, the prime example used to teach this lesson was to never take candy from a stranger in a van. For college students, we need to tweak this example just a tad bit. Let’s make it this: never take a drink from a stranger in a bar. It’s as simple as that. Unfortunately, it has become so easy for people to slip date rape drugs and other substances into drinks nowadays, so be smart and avoid drinking anything that you didn’t actually get for yourself.
5. Go to sleep early.
Remember crying to your parents to let you stay up past your 7:30 bedtime? In college, I’m actually crying that I can’t be in bed by 7:30. All-nighters in the library have become the norm, and staying out past midnight at the club is the only way people seem to actually have “fun.” While it’s okay to stay up late sometimes, it’s not good to do it every day of the week. At some point, your body needs to experience normal sleeping patterns. So when you get the opportunity to go to sleep early, do yourself the favor and take it. I promise you won’t regret it.
