Even if you are only experiencing your first semester, by now you have figured out that college comes with some form of anxiety. Some worry
about their grades. Some spend their time freaking out about their current
relationship status. Some stress over the freshman 15. But the worst of all is the fear of missing out, better known
as FOMO.
I have grown up wanting to be included in everything, but
since coming to college my desire has sky rocketed. After
first semester of freshmen year, and attending a few froshes, my thoughts were, “Hey, unfinished, possibly insect infested basements are enjoyable." Then, the Holy Grail was upon us, aka Husker tailgates. After taking a
few steps into the back yard of a sacred bottoms house, I was certain
that tailgating was the reason I was put on this earth.
Second semester
approached, and formal season was in full force. It took one formal for me to
decide that my past homecomings and proms were not even on the totem pole of
fun, and that formals were top tier. I have committed to every ski trip, thus far, and experienced my first spring break in Panama City Beach, this past year. What
I’m saying is -- college is fun.
It is my third year and I am 95 percent positive that FOMO is a
real disease, and I am sure I am diagnosed and in critical condition. For
those of you who also think you may suffer from this disease, bear with me. If
you don’t think missing out is all that bad, you should. I know you have
heard it all before. You have four years to do this. Four years seems like a
decent amount of time, until you are a graduated adult and the last time you let
loose and had fun was at your 40 year old co-worker’s Christmas party.
Dramatic? Definitely. True? I guess you will find -- but why take the risk?
We all have busy lives in college filled with studying, applications
and jobs, but sometimes it is okay to run away from your responsibilities. Here
are three simple rules to follow.
1. Frosh until you die. Frosh until you can roll
over in your grave when you find out your grandchildren are taking naps
Thursday to Saturday nights. I am a junior at that awkward age of
20, and I have no shame in attending every social I can. Everyone has their own
form of fun, but at least go, meet someone new and hit your head from dancing
under extremely low ceilings.
2. Say yes to formals. Take a night off from work or
studying. Get set up with a blind date with a fraternity you barely know. You
might end up being able to say it was the best night of college you have had so
far.
3. Go on trips. Traveling is one thing, but
traveling with a large group of your favorite people is the crème de la crème.
Embrace your broke college kid stereotype and donate plasma, or break out your
childhood piggy bank if you have to. It is worth it.
Moral of the story -- in a few years these memories are all
you will have. That is enough to have me freaking out with FOMO. College comes
once. Do not miss out.
