Now that I am embarking on the end of the first year in college, I can’t help but look back on the greatest year of my life. I came into freshman year knowing it would change my life, but I had no idea to what extent. Would it change who I am, how I look at life, who I hang out with? I can confidently say that it has done all three of those and so much more. With the changes, I’ve faced over the past year, whether because of obstacles or new experiences as a whole, I learned so much about who I am but more importantly, some of the greatest life lessons I may ever learn.
1.You are your own advocate.
As of March 2017, an estimated 7.5 billion people live on this planet, each and every individual with their own goals and aspirations. The reality is if you don’t learn to stand up for what you want or even what you think is right, it is unlikely that someone will do it for you. If you want something, it's on you to go and get it and the same goes for if you don't like something, change it!
2. It’s okay to say no
Personally, this is the most beneficial lesson I learned this year. In high school and even up until the last couple months, if I was asked to do something to help someone else out, it was an automatic yes. The reality is, not only will people take advantage of that, but you have to look out for yourself and do what’s best for you. It’s simply just not healthy to bog yourself down, although nice of you, trying to be a good person.
3.You cannot eat the way you did in high school
OK. Word to the wise, although I love the optimism, your body will not stay the same way it was senior year primarily because you are not the same person as you were senior year! I was a year-round athlete, who ate pints of ice cream, take out, anything I wanted when I wanted and physically could not gain weight. Ha…. The good ol' days. Regardless if you go to the gym religiously, which I would be lying if I said I did, do yourself a favor and learn my rule of thumb: “Are you hungry or are you bored?”
4. Your high school habits will get you nowhere in life
This lesson can be applied to almost every aspect of life, whether it’s academic or socially related. I think academic habits during the transition period between high school and college are the most relatable. Procrastination, lack of effort, laziness are all things that will not only severely impact your grades but will make it almost impossible for you to succeed in college or your future job at that. Social habits were more evident to me than others because of the fact that I came from a small town where you didn’t have much selection in who you surrounded yourself with. In college, if you are someone who lacks consideration for others don’t expect them to continue showing up for you like they may have in high school.
5. Time FLYS
Wow, just the fact that I am reflecting on my first year of college scares me. I vividly remember getting ready for my last prom, senior game, walking across the stage at graduation and here I am, a fourth of the way through the best years of my life. Life is so short and likewise, the time we have with those that we love are even shorter. Learn to appreciate, love, and simply live sooner rather than later because one day you’ll be looking around wondering where all the years went.
