College is weird. You take thousands of young adults that are near the same age and throw them into one place. They have to interact with each other, get along, handle differences, and make friends. It isn't easy when we're all being honest. Sometimes, we don't want to have to deal with people our age. It's easier to be in a bubble. Especially for people just entering college, the transition can be hard. Here are the top five things to remember when you're taking a big step in your education, or when you're returning from summer break.
1. Embrace what you have.
This has been preached since before we were able to understand what was going on. If they told you to jump off a bridge, would you? The difference between this and college is its important to fit in. Whether you want to admit it or not, many of us look around at everyone else from day to day and decide what to like about others and what not to like. The thing is, you can be totally different. Be your own person. You don't have to wear a size zero. Rock the body you have and own it. Confidence is more attractive than a tiny waist. Be who you are and be proud about it.
2. You don't need a boy.
Just because your roommate is engaged and your friend from back home is carrying child number three, nothing says you need someone to complete you. The most important thing in college is to learn to complete yourself. No one else can know your needs or wants more than you. If you do find someone worth your time, make sure they know what they want in life and they complete themselves too. Be a strong independent woman that doesn't need a man. Just one that likes to have one around when they go above and beyond your standards.
3. Take that second slice of cake.
No one wants to gain the freshman 15, but sometimes its perfectly acceptable to splurge. At the end of a long week, many times there is nothing like a warm, fresh cookie to make you feel at home. Even if its not relating to dessert, always take the second slice of cake. When your friend asks you to go with her to get her nails done, go. Those moments will stay with you forever. The nights you stay in your room "studying?" Those will become an incomprehensible blur.
4. Stick to your guns.
Not real guns -- metaphorical guns. When you came to college, you held onto a set of beliefs -- some more loosely than others -- but your opinions had been formed. Once you become immersed in this culture, different ideas and viewpoints are shot at you. Stick to your guns and don't back down. There is a difference in respect and judgement, however. Don't be the person who looks at someone and turns their nose up because they are different from you in some way. Don't force your own ideas on anyone else. Be willing to share your opinion when asked, but otherwise, no one wants to hear you criticize and talk someone down because they don't believe like you. Differences breed maturity. Just hold onto your beliefs and remember what gave you that idea to start with.
5. Utilize the Student Recreation Center.
An essay, two tests, five homework assignments, a group project and a post-lab writeup may be due in one week, but you can always find time to go to the gym. Time management is crucial, and with the proper scheduling, you can find 30 minutes to go to the gym. From personal experience, I can say that even a small workout can make you feel better and think better. If you're having writer's block, maybe a mile jog or yoga class can help you. At the very least you're being proactive against the freshman 15. Don't look back and say, I wish I would have. Go do it and say, I'm glad I did.
