As the seniors have left us to pressure bigger and better things I decided to reflect on somethings I wish I had been told before I went to college. These tips I pass on to anyone who is about to embark on the life changing experience of college.
1. Your friends
Your friends in your first week at orientation are most likely not going to be your friends the rest of freshman year. Likewise, the friends you make your freshman year will not be your friends senior year. In fact, I made most of my genuine friends the second semester of sophomore year.
2. Be nice to everyone but trust no one.
This may to some seem like harsh advice but as mentioned before not everyone in the world is nice. Therefore, you should really guard what you tell to some people.
3. You do not have to be friends with your roommate, but be nice to them.
One of the biggest mistakes I made freshman year was trying to be friends with my roommates because I felt that if I was not it would be extremely awkward. I quickly learned that I had missed out so many opportunities orientation weekend because I was more considered about not being friends with my roommates. I did not realize that it is just as effective to be nice to them.
4. You may change your major and this is okay.
You will hear from your adviser that as soon as you go into college you are supposed to know what you want to do with your life. It is perfectly fine to experiment in order to figure out what you plan to do with your life.
5. You are probably going to miss your pet more than you do your parents.
Your parents can call you, text you, and come up to visit you but your pet may not. Knowing your parents are there at the click of a button and your pet is no may cause you to miss them more than anything.
6. Boy are no more mature than they were in high school.
I was so excited to go to college because that meant mature college boys! However I was met with surprise because they aren't any more mature than the ones in high school. They still laugh at fart jokes, smell horrible, and think its cool to talk about who won the "who can pee the furthest into the toilet without missing" contest.
7. You may not find your significant other despite what the statistics say.
At many colleges there is a "unwritten rule" that many find their soul mate. Many of my friends do not even have boyfriends or girlfriends. Trust me am I no were close to finding mine either although I am trying very, very hard to try to tell this one guy that I like him.
8. You will not want to leave campus and when you do, you'll want to go back ASAP.
Because you feel so attached to your second home, leaving it for a long period many be just as hard as leaving your real home. You'll look forward to the day that you can return.
9. Avoid any class at 8am or any on Friday.
Many including myself have underestimated what a bad idea this is. It is not as easy to get up at 5:30 like you did in high-school for a 8:30 a.m. start. It is also extremely hard to find any motivation to have class on Friday when most of your buddies do not.
10. You will change, but in a good way.
I personally cannot even see the same shy, quiet, keeps to herself girl that I was in high school. Now I see a outgoing, strong, independent women. College will not only make you a new person, but a new better person as well.
11. Everyone in Freshman year is scared as you are.
One thing that many forget is that moving away from home and going to unfamiliar place is strange not only for you but for others. These feelings that you have are normal and everyone has them. Your classmates and yourself may be different but you are connected by these weird feelings and should try to make the best of the four years (or two) at your school.
man running in forestPhoto by 
