During freshman year of college, everyone gets so caught up in getting the “full college experience”. They go to every event, every game, every party, and everything they get invited to because they don’t want to miss out on anything. They are obsessed with not having any regrets. I will admit, I was a little bit guilty of this too during my first semester. However, as I’ve progressed through college (I’m in my third year now), I quickly realized that getting the full college experience is not as important as I first thought. Now, I’m just focused on making it to graduation (LOL). However, there are a few things I have learned about the college experience that I think are applicable to everyone.
Your experience is yours. Don’t try to live up to others’ standards.
The idea that there is only one way to fully experience college and get the most of out your college experience is complete nonsense. At the end of your four-ish years, you will be left with your degree and your memories. Why let someone else’s idea of fun control your experience and your memories? Do what you want to do. Do what makes you happy. If you do that, you will have the greatest college experience regardless of how many football games or parties you went to. I promise. If you do things your way, you won’t have any regrets at the end of your time in undergrad. If you want to stay in and binge watch Netflix with your roommate on a Saturday night, do it. This is your time to be independent, young, and carefree. Why spend the “greatest years of your life” doing something other than what makes you happy?
Take time for yourself.
When you go to college away from home, alone time is sparse, especially in dorm rooms with roommates. Alone time is super important, though. When you are on a college campus or in a dorm, you are surrounded by people 100 percent of the time, which is like 99 percent too much (just kidding). In all seriousness though, there is hardly any time when there are not people around you. So you need to find time to be alone and take advantage of it. Go get your nails done, go for a walk, go for a run, read a book, go on a hike, whatever. Just go get in your head a little bit. Get away from your friends and your homework and get to know yourself. It makes you more relaxed and less stressed. Also, if you give yourself breaks from homework to get some fresh air, you are more productive. College is the time to really learn to understand yourself, so you need some time to get to know you.
Study and work hard. You are here for a degree.
Believe it or not, you actually have to take classes during college, too. I know, crazy, right? It is crucial that you take the time to do your homework and study for your tests. I know it sounds lame, but you really need to be on the ball with your classes. Once you get behind, it is extremely hard to catch back up. The first semester is always really difficult when you are just learning how to manage your time. Time management is super important. Schedule out your time so you don’t get overwhelmed with everything that needs to get done. This is especially important for Berea College students. Try not to skip class too often. I know we all have those days when our beds are like super comfortable and it seems impossible to leave, but try to keep those days few and far in between. Keep track of the classes you are missing, especially if your classes have attendance policies (every BC class ever). Your degree is more important than sleeping in. Remember that.
This is your life.
The novelty of college will soon wear off. This is your life for the next four or more years. Don’t spend it according to someone else’s agenda. This is also not a vacation. Work hard, study hard, play hard. Work hard before you need to. College is not some huge party or some utopia. It is real life. Yes, you live with your best friends and every night is like a sleepover, but you can’t treat it as such. I’m not saying that movie marathons on a Wednesday night are bad, but it can’t happen every night. You still need to go to class, do your homework, go to work, etc. Every night is not a super fun sleepover. If you know this going in, it is going to be much easier to say no to going out because you have a test in the morning or a paper due the next day.
Make lasting relationships with peers, professors, and bosses.
Spend some time making lasting relationships with those around you instead of focusing on seeing and doing everything. A couple wonderful friends is much better than a lot of surface-level friends. Make lasting relationships. Find your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Nurture relationships with your professors too. Go to office hours. Get to know your professors outside the office, too. This is much easier at a small school, but you can make it happen at a larger school too. Use your time to connect and to network. You never know when these connections will come in handy in your future career or even your future classes. If you happen to attend a work-study school like I do, you will have a job on campus. Get to know your boss. Foster a professional, working relationship with them. Connect with those you’re surrounded by.
Enjoy every moment.
Try to enjoy every aspect instead of waiting for the next big thing. If you’re constantly looking ahead and waiting for the next big thing, you are going to miss the little moments that make up the majority of your college experience. Sure, the big events are exciting, but the little moments come more frequently and they shape who you are. Don’t let them pass you by. The little moments like having a “fluffy bunny” competition with marshmallows with your roommate at midnight or having a cheeseball catching competition in your room at 1 a.m. during the middle of the week; these are the moments that turn into everlasting memories. These are the moments that turn your roommate into your best friend. Cherish the ups and the downs. College and life goes by way too quickly to let the greatest moments pass you by.
If I could sum up everything I have learned in college so far in one sentence, I’d have to say: Be yourself and be happy. Make your own path. Have the college experience that fits you. College is not a “one size fits all” type of experience. It is shaped by you. I hope I’ve encouraged you to be unique and do your own thing. However, if you choose to try to do the “whole college experience”, I wish you the best of luck and the happiest of times. Enjoy these next four plus years, guys; they’re over quicker than you can imagine.
