When most people imagine the typical college student, they either see the super involved and achieving students or the exhausted, decaffeinated students.

What if I told you that you will be all of those at one point or another during college?

First, you might think I am crazy because you think you will never get exhausted and I’m going to tell you right now, YOU WILL! Do not think you will not want to die when you have three assignments and a test due on the same day. Do not think you will get exhausted from the lack of sleep due to studying or going to that party the night before. If you believe you will be happy-go-lucky all the way through college, you are living in a dream. A dream I wished existed. However, you can still be exhausted and decaffeinated but still be living it up in college!

So what if I told you that college is hard and amazing at the same time? Would you believe me?

College can be amazing and you can make it that way through a lot of different avenues! Whether that is joining a club, playing intramural sports, or going to a campus event, you will be able to meet some great, or not so great, people! College allows you to meet a diverse group of people and really be able to choose who you spend your time most with. Unlike high school, you are not forced to be with the same people each day. You can now meet with new people everyday and keep growing your social network! Also, making friends in class sure does help when exam time rolls around :). However, be intentional with friendships, people!

However, once you develop your social life, it can be tempting to put studying aside.

This is what makes college a killer. Yes, this is obvious but I felt it needed to be pointed out because studying makes most people cry. If you have not cried during studying, you will know soon enough. Studying is a time when you show your true dedication to learning. It teaches you the best way to study for yourself and how much you really enjoy your major. Studying isn’t always fun at the time but remember, C’s get degrees so try just enough. Science majors, you need A’s. I feel your pain.

When you are in college, you are figuring yourself out.

You learn more about yourself each day and what you could do more or less of. I am constantly learning more and more about myself each week and it is insane! I thought I had myself figured out when I started college, NOPE. JUST NOPE. As you develop who you are supposed to become, you may change how you present yourself to the world, whether it is through clothes or dying your hair bright pink (which you then deeply regret after a month or so). Development also comes with A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS. Do not worry though because the downs will teach you so much about yourself and make you stronger. Then the ups will do the same but also remind you just how awesome college is!

College is hard for many other reasons besides studying.

If you have a job ,or even multiple jobs, this adds some unwanted stress of worrying about finishing assignments and/or paying for college. Another reason could be because you solely do not know what to do with your life so you stay undeclared as long as you can. This adds a stressor to your life, especially if you are a worrier, because you are constantly unsure where you will end up in life. College could as be hard due to lack of financial means, not being to have a safe living environment, or not having a social life you may be craving for. All these things add weight to our load and it can make college seem like a burden rather than a place for gaining knowledge and growth. They can rob us of a true, fun college experience that I think we all deserve.

Some of those negative things may loom over you but never let it consume you if you can.

College is so much more than getting a degree and saying “peace out peeps.” It is a place that allows you to flourish and expand your viewpoint about the world. College gives you the opportunity to push yourself further than ever before whether that is mentally, emotionally, or physically. You will get pushed emotionally and mentally for sure! You may get pushed physically if you have to drop that Freshman 15.

Therefore, remember that college is hella hard but even more than that, it is amazing!