Goodness gracious, I cannot think of a more childlike desire than the desire to be a Disney princess. With that being said, how many of us ladies can honestly say we have gone through life without wearing a dress and tiara and declaring our own royalty. (If you're thinking "Yea, I have never done that", then I apologize, because being a fake princess rocks.) However, if you are anything like the avid Disney lover that I am, then you are so going to love this. Even if you're a guy reading this and you feel like you can do the smolder better than Flynn Rider, then you can love it just as much!
Anyway, flashback to the age when it was totally appropriate to wear that Cinderella dress you wore for Halloween every day when you got home from school for a good three weeks after. Those were good times. Now, as I approach the middle of my second semester in college, I imagine people would really raise some eyebrows if I dressed as Cinderella even for Halloween. This kind of makes me sad, because Disney princesses taught me more than just how to twirl in a poofy dress and talk to animals. In case you failed to pick up on these college tips given to us by these beauties themselves, I will continue to enlighten you.
1. Snow White
Ah, Snow, the very first Disney princess. If her lesson isn't the most obvious, then you may need to give up here. Snow White may be the fairest of them all, but she STILL ran into some weird guys. Even if you are the smartest, prettiest, most fabulous girl there ever was, you're going to have a run in with at least one of the seven dwarfs during college (and I'm not talking about Happy).
2. Cinderella
Sweet Cindy may not have liked the lesson she taught me, but nevertheless, it is one that is much needed in the college world. I feel a strong connection to Cinderella, because I feel a lot of girls at college dress in rags for class with their hair in a ponytail only to put makeup on and dress cute for something that night. Seems pretty fitting, right? Cinderella had to be back before the clock struck midnight. Nothing good ever happens after midnight. At college, or in general, being in your room by midnight is a good idea. Otherwise you will get in trouble, put off homework, and be exhausted for your chores at 8 am the next morning. Oh, did I say chores? I definitely meant class.
3. Aurora
I feel that Sleeping Beauty is the princess I relate most to, because I mean, she sleeps a lot. Sleeping Beauty made naps look cool and boy, do you need them in college. This is especially true if you did not obey Cinderella's fairy godmother and you stayed out a little too late. Nap between classes, nap after classes, try to refrain from napping during* class, but definitely nap. Get good sleep and stay rested so that when your prince does come one day, you feel extra rejuvenated and energized.
4. Ariel
Ariel definitely gave me some college advice and that is to be adventurous. Ariel wanted to be different. She was the youngest of seven daughters which has to be a tough battle in itself. She was always up for swimming out farther than she should and finding interesting things. No, this does not mean Ariel says to be mischievous and get yourself sent to jail, but she showed that there is a whole different part of the world out there and you shouldn't be afraid to explore it.
5. Belle
Belle seems so elegant and fragile to me. Belle shows us (and yes this is cliche') that we have to look beyond people's appearances. You come to a college with thousands of people that you have never seen in your life and some become your best friends and others become that one guy that cheats off of you in your history class. We see people and automatically make assumptions of character by how they look outwardly. Belle shows us how beginning our college experience can be humbling, because everyone is new and everyone has a story and a place. Belle also taught me to keep some tea around 24/7 because that's pretty helpful.
6. Pocahontas
Holy moly, Pocahontas was a savage! She went against her family and all familiarity to pursue something totally and utterly foreign. This is not Pocahontas pulling the rebellious 18-year-old teenager line, "I am an adult now, I do what I want." (Please don't be this person.) As I see it and try to relate it to being in college, I think of majors and occupations. Pocahontas' father had expectations for her and she did her own thing. In college, sometimes our parents try to guide us toward an occupation or you feel like once you start a certain major, you are stuck there. This is not the case. YOU do YOU and be who you want. Paint with all the colors of the wind.
7. Mulan
"This represents discipline. And this represents strength. You need both to survive college." Okay, so that's not quite what the quote from the movie says, but it is more important than retrieving some arrow. Mulan started out rather slowly and I like to call this Mulan's "first college semester." She was spilling food and oversleeping, tripping and forgetting things. Kudos to her for taking that leap of faith and going to college, I mean war, but she was barely making it through. Once she figured out this whole discipline and strength thing, she was at the top of her game. It's okay to have a little bit of a bumpy start, but discipline is key to getting through college.
8.Tiana
Tiana's main goal in life is to make something of her passion. She loved her gumbo recipe and wanted a shop of her own. I see Tiana as a very noble princess, because she wasn't just born into royalty. She was not concerned with being royalty. It was the little things in life. Find something you are passionate about and pursue it. Do not let anyone tell you that your dreams aren't worth it. Tiana also showed us that food is definitely a priority, especially if you can make it yourself.
9. Rapunzel
From Repunzel, I see more of a spiritual tip, which is good because that is an important factor to dealing with the struggles of life, not just college. She is concerned with seeing the lights and though these are actually lanterns, we can see it as the light for Christ. Her whole journey is looking for these lights. When she finally sees the lights, she sings "and at last I see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted." Do not allow college to get the best of you and bring a fog over your faith. Continue to venture out of your tower to search for that light.
10. Merida
Oh Merida, what a mess she got herself into. Do you remember the solution to her problem? The answer is her mom. Our moms know what is best, despite how mature and responsible we think we are. I am one to admit that I have really thought I knew what was best for myself and my mom was just in the way. I am also one to admit that I was extremely wrong and now, when something gets a little tough, she is the one to hear about it. My mom has made college life easier and has made the weekends even sweeter, because I get to see her. She may try to be too much of a 'mama bear' sometimes, but she really does love you!
11. Anna
THE FIRST GUY THAT CATCHES YOUR EYE IS NOT ALWAYS THE ONE YOU ARE GOING TO MARRY! That is in all caps so that I don't have to repeat it over and over again. College puts so much emphasis on finding that special someone and that's annoying. We feel like the first guy that says "Hey, did you do the homework?" is trying to get your number which means y'all will start texting and that gets pretty serious, am I right? NO! Anna thought she was going to marry Hans and that was ridiculous. In the end, Kristoff is who she loves and we need to take note of that. Boys are cool and all, but most of the time, we put too much pressure on relationships, both romantic and friendships, that we fail to see what is under our nose. Take this tip from Anna who is trying to share sandwiches with this dude she just met.
12. Elsa
As if we aren't all tired of hearing the phrase "Let it go." It is actually really relevant for college. I know for me, my grades are super important to me and when I stay up late studying for a test that I still don't get an A on, it bothers me. As a result of this, I call my mom or my boyfriend and their response is something along the lines of "let it go." We can't be perfect at everything and sometimes things just are not going to be in your favor. Let it go. Elsa sang an entire song basically just repeating those three words. Try hard and do your best, but don't worry about being caught up in something you can't change. Just let it go, let it go, don't let it hold you back anymore.
13. Moana
Moana is the most recent princess, but her tip is just as important. She showed us to venture out of our comfort zone. Some of us are like, "Yep, I went to college. Check!" When we go to college, it is an entirely new world that you are starting on your own. She teaches us to venture out, step out of our comfort zones, make new friends, still keep the friends you already had close, do something new, and take a risk sometimes. College is a prime opportunity to start fresh. Take this opportunity and run with it just like Moana. By the time you're done, you'll be saying "You're welcome!"
You are never too old to love Disney. I am nineteen and I am here writing about movies that I owned on VHS. Make college a place to be as wonderful as all of the princesses that just made your life better.
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
Read more: Disney - When You Wish Upon A Star Lyrics | MetroLyrics
