Yesterday, I began the last semester of my undergraduate career. Yay me! Today, in lieu of actually doing my homework, I've decided to pass on a little free advice to those of you just beginning college.
First, be wary of advice, free or otherwise. You're going to find yourself surrounded by self-proclaimed "experts" on everything — from what classes to take, to how to use the college's website, to what organizations to join, and everything in between. Trust NO ONE except the expert source. Find the appropriate office and ask someone who actually knows. In all other matters, use your head. Think! (after all, you're in college now. It's a good habit to get into.) Above all, think for yourself.
Warning: This is harder than it sounds, and chances are, you're not as good at it as you think you are. It takes some practice.
Listen to people who don't agree with you. You don't have to agree with them, but learn to listen to what they're saying and what they think. Listen to why they think what they think. Then apply that same process to yourself. Why do you think you think the way you think? Do you even really think what you think you think, or are you just parroting back what you've been told? You may find you still don't agree with them, but at least you'll know why.
Don't get too hung up on appearances — either your own, or anyone else's. There are much better things to base personal judgments on (come on, you know you're going to judge and be judged), things like character, personality, integrity, decency; you know, the things we all say are what matters. Remember, no matter how sharp, or cool, or weird or eclectic you look, there will always be someone who is more so.
Of course, some things aren't as philosophical or esoteric. Things like: get enough sleep, M&M's are not a food group, use a condom, do your homework and don't look at the Facebook in class, are (or at least should be) no-brainers, but you'd be surprised.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. College payrolls are full of people who are just there to help you, whether it's with financial aid, class selection or help with classes themselves. Put those people to use. They like it.
Don't try to beat the system. You won't. Don't waste time looking for shortcuts or work-arounds. It's easier to just do the work. Plus, you actually learn something.
Don't worry, you're not as dumb as you feel you are. Well OK, maybe you are. But so is everyone else. Just keep learning.
Conversely, keep in mind that, as smart as you may be about some things, you're not nearly as smart as you think you are. Trust me, I know. I used to be you. When I was 18, I knew EVERYTHING! As a result, I ended up putting off going to college for 30 years. The one advantage of waiting so long is that, by the time I started college, I realized that I don't know shit.
It took me at least 20 years to begin to realize how much I didn't know, and another 10 to getting around to doing something about it. You don't really start learning until you admit how much you don't know.
Finally, if you find you're doing well, don't get a big head. Some of the smartest people I've ever known have been the least educated, and many of the most shockingly stupid people I've ever known have been highly educated.
You don't go to college to fill your head up with facts and dates and theories. Those are just the tools. You go to college to learn to think (preferably for yourself). If you learn to do that, then you'll do alright in whatever you do.
One last word on advice: Remember, you get what you pay for.
Good Luck!
