First semester of freshman year has rushed by. There was move in and then the first day of class, the first C- on an exam that made it feel like the world was ending (we've all been there), football games, work, classes — blink twice and you've missed the entire month of October.
In this time of rapid change and personal growth, here are some of the most important things I have learned. (and no, none of this was learned in any classroom or lecture hall)
The first friends you make at college probably won't be the greatest friends, or long term friends, and that's okay. Sure, no one likes temporary people, but when you pack up your life and move into a new town there's a good chance you'll feel pretty alone. Finding friends, however temporary they may be, is an essential part of college. Once you've settled in, unpacked that last box that's been sitting in the corner of the room for two months, and really gotten into your routine — you will find your people. And the wait is worth it. I have made some of my best friends in the past three months and know that many of them will be lifelong friendships. This is only possible because I made a friend the first day I moved in and we bonded over having only each other.
You probably won't like your classes, or your major, or your schedule. You may not like any of it —it's stressful and overwhelming. You'll feel lost and think you're doing everything wrong. You're not. Things are changing and adapting is hard. Give it time. Get to know your professors, get to know your options. College is the best time to find out what it is you really want from life. Figuring this out is not an easy task. You won't just wake up one day and know what you want and how exactly to get there, trust me. You can, though, wake up and tell yourself that you're okay. That you're going to be fine. You have to do what you can to make it through the day.
Sleep. Eat. Take care of yourself. YOU are the priority. Don't pull all nighters more than twice a semester (midterms and finals). Don't forget to have alone time. Your health is the most important thing. This means mental and physical health. Drink water, eat healthy, give yourself time to just go on walks and get fresh air. I promise it will help you all around. Your grades fail when your health does.
Be open minded. Moving to college is a huge change, and the people that you will be surrounded by are completely different than what you've been accustomed to. Growing up we were often influenced by our parents, our friends and our community in general. When you come to college though, all that can change. You are introduced to so many new things, things you haven't been around before and must form your own opinion on. This can be confusing, scary even. This is growing up.
Have fun. Enjoy every second. This is the beginning of a great 4 years.
