To My Little Sister Who Just Graduated High School,
I've done you the favor of learning these 15 lessons in college so you don't have to. You're welcome.
1. Don't drink on an empty stomach.
This sounds obvious but you're going to want to do it. Don't. A night with unlimited potential will probably end with you huddled over some gross bar toilet, or maybe your own dorm toilet if you're lucky.
2. It's okay to wear your pajamas to class.
In college, no one cares. You could show up to class looking like you just died and everyone would be like "oh, I've been there."
3. Don't waste time being someone you aren't.
You only have four years. If you don't fit in with a specific friend group, find another group. You have 40,000 friends to chose from.
4. Spend time finding who you are.
Try everything. Take classes that sound interesting to you. Join clubs. In the end, these are the things that will end up making you you.
5. It's okay to change your major.
If you're hesitant- change it. Change your major as many times as you want. A couple extra classes now will be worth having the right career later.
6. You can't plan everything.
You'll probably bumble back and forth between having everything figured out to feeling like your life is a pile of sand you're trying to keep from slipping through your fingers. Let your plans change. Make plans and then make new plans.
7. Sleep with whoever you want.
No one cares if you sleep with everyone or you sleep with no one.
8. You still need your parents.
I know, you moved out of the house and you're all grown up. You feel like an independent woman and in some ways you are. But you still need mom and dad.
9. College is hard.
College classes alone are way harder than what you're use to. I know that you think you're brilliant and you are but this is going to be hard for you. You're going to have to learn how to study, take notes and not procrastinate. You're going to have to do all of that on top of managing our social life, dealing with a roommate, trying to eat healthy, making friends, going out and getting involved.
10. Go to office hours.
Having a relationship with your professors will pay off in so many ways from having grades boosted, resubmitting assignments, lenient grading and letters of recommendation.
11. Pay attention to what goes into your body.
There's going to be food everywhere. And good food. Order pizza at 1am when you come home from the bar but also go to the gym. The freshman 15 is real.
12. Money goes quick.
This new found freedom is inevitably expensive. Coming from the girl that's been broke since freshman year, just try to conserve money.
13. Call home.
They'll miss you. Honestly, since you're the second maybe they won't. But an easy way to avoid their long phone calls is to keep them updated. Send mom and dad texts when little things happen in your life.
14. Don't be a bad roommate.
Living in an awkward roommate situation is the easiest way to ruin your days. You always start off fine and slowly things start to cripple. Communicate with her when there's an issue. Be clean. And be respectful.
15. Never say "that's not me."
You don't know what's you yet. You might fall in love with something unexpected so don't limit yourself. Unless there are dangerous drugs, then you can say no.
So, there you have it.
