There are many things I wish I knew before going to college, but the biggest thing I wish I had a full grasp on was how much things were going to change. Looking back after four semesters away at school, everything that has changed was meant to be that way. All the changes have made me a better person and given me a better life -- but they all happened so fast.
Looking back to freshman year, I was scared of almost everything, and I let my anxiety and depression pretty much run my life. I had a really hard time transitioning to living on my own. I didn't like the idea of being away from my family. We are all so close. But I soon realized that it's easy to keep in touch and I wasn't that far away. I could come home almost whenever I wanted. But I feel like I realized this too late. I was so caught up with dealing with the anxiety of being away from home that I did not get involved with anything during my first semester of college. I tried. I made the plans to go to a meeting, or to email the president of a club, but something held me back. I spent my first year of school sitting in my room being sad about the fact that I wasn't doing anything.
I felt like I had no friends because I wasn't going out and partying. But that wasn't the case. By sophomore year I realized that I met people who truly did care about me, and that partying wasn't what I wanted. I just wanted people there for me who I could call when I needed to talk. And I found that.
With all of this being said, I think it's really important that this upcoming freshman class realize what college is really like. Now you might be thinking to yourself, How could this girl who didn't even realize what college is really like until almost halfway through, tell me about it? Well, the answer is actually really simple. College is what you make it. There is no one out there who can tell you what to expect with every move and decision you make at college. There are the basics that you can expect, such as: you will grow apart from high school friends, your opinions and interests will change as you get older and experience new things, and you will have to work hard. However, no one can tell you how many friends you will make freshman year, or how many of those will stick around though the next year. No one can tell you how many parties you'll be invited to, or if you'll even enjoy them. Also no one can tell you what to expect from your classes. Even if someone graduated from the college you're going to majoring in the same thing, would have had a different experience in their classes than you will, because everyone's different.
Something to keep in mind, though, is that college isn't one big party. Yes, you can probably easily find a raging party to go to on almost any night of the week, but you also have classes. Those pictures you see of your peers, who graduated a few years before you, drinking and dancing, and having fun -- well, that's not all they're doing. And if it is, it's not going to last long.
College is something you have to take seriously. Not only is it very expensive, but if you're going for a four year degree, you most likely have future goals that you are very adamant about attaining. You can't do that if you don't take school seriously. On the other hand, it is important to make time for fun. Whether fun for you is going to a party, watching a movie with your friend, or joining a club it's important for your mental health. If you spend all day, every day, studying and being hard on yourself about your grades, you are not going to be happy, which will make your grades slip.
It's important to keep a healthy balance between work and play. Something that is really important to remember is that you may eventually grow apart from your high school friends. It might not be the minute you go away, and it might not even be in a way that you're really aware of, but it will happen. As we grow up and have different experiences, there are just people that you no longer have things in common with. And that is okay. You don't have to feel bad for moving on as you get older. It's just a natural part of life, honestly.
I intended on making this a long list of things to remember when you go away to school, but I think college is better to experience and figure out on your own. If you have all these people telling you what to expect and how to handle things, you won't have as good of a time. It's better to get involved in too many things and have to eliminate some groups than to not be involved in anything. You'll make so many new friends, and have so many fun experiences if you get involved with sports, clubs, or activities.
College is nothing to be afraid of. You're going to have a great time!
