For nearly every high school graduate, slowly stepping out of the comfortable environment of high school and entering the unknown life that lies ahead can be a frightening, yet a very exciting experience. As a reserved 17-year-old gal who depended on my family for everything, I had never truly experienced independence before, and was extremely nervous for the new chapter of my life that I was about to embark on. Although I underwent various positive and negative situations during my first year as an undergraduate college student, every single strenuous and joyful moment has shaped me into the leader, thinker, and learner that I am today. Here are the 7 most significant life lessons that I have learned throughout the entirety of my freshman year of college that I would love to share with you all.
1. Do not go on this journey alone.
Although going off to college is a time for experiencing freedom and independence, and to discover the type of person you have been created to be, it is imperative to rely on the support of close friends, faculty, and most importantly family members to help make this new shift into adulthood a bit easier. As individuals, we were not brought into this world to live in isolation; instead we were made to surround ourselves with others and develop deep and meaningful relationships. In order for each of us to achieve our own destinies, we must rely on these friendships and relationships to help us grow, learn, and create a significant impact on our hearts and in our lives.
2. Change is inevitable...and beautiful.
Moving hundreds of miles away from home, meeting new friends, not seeing your siblings everyday, sharing a public restroom with 16 strangers; these are all prime examples of the reality of change that a young freshman will experience during their first year of college. While the place of living, eating, studying, and socializing looks different from an aesthetic perspective than what we are familiar with, we are given ample opportunities to define who we are, or possibly in a way, redefine who we want to become because of our past life experiences.
For example, I was an immensely shy person in high school, and rarely spoke up to share my opinion, or have my voice heard. Within weeks of transitioning into the college atmosphere and lifestyle, I noticed that I was gradually becoming more outgoing, and was blossoming into a person that went out of my way to talk to new people to make them feel loved and encouraged. Wait what?
There is so much beauty in the sentiment that we have the power to blossom into the people that we were always meant to be. I am forever grateful that college has allowed me to lift my voice louder, share my love for others deeper, and create impact wider.
3. You attract the kind of person you are.
It can surely be stated that one of the greatest anxieties that incoming college freshman undergo is very simply making (and keeping) friends. Coming into college, I knew the type of people that I wanted to become close friends with: Those with similar morals, beliefs, and (uniquely enough) appearances as me. I truly believe that we become extremely close with others that display similar attributes, and present themselves in a manner that resembles ourselves. When it gets to the point that we see our own various characteristics in others, is when we know that we have found our true friends. At every university, the right people are there to support, love and care for us during this amazing journey, it may just take time to truly find them along the way.
4. To thine own self be true.
Upon entering college, there are a multitude of pressures that one can easily fall victim to, if they do not stick to the morals that have been ingrained in them from their past. To me, honoring my morals and values is one of the most integral ways that I can truly display how my parents (and myself) clearly defined what was right and wrong behavior, but more importantly how I can show my devout Christian faith through my choices.
If you are being pressured to do something, and you don't feel quite right about it, don't do it. During uncomfortable situations, let your conscience guide you to decide what is right and wrong for you. Experimenting freedom and making independent decisions is a major part of what college is all about, but in the path to self-discovery, don't get lost in the person you are trying to be and lose the precious identity of the person that you have been all along.
5. You are loved, no matter what.
As one who credits academic success as one of the most important aspects of my life, it can be stressful when things in the classroom don't go exactly in my favor. Coming from being an advanced placement and honors with distinction student in high school, I carry this stigma that I have to continue to be a perfectionist where my grades are concerned... or else. I have noticed that in my first year, the dire yearning to achieve a 4.0 in all of my classes for the entirety of my undergraduate schooling is imperative to me...that's the faulty word!
It has taken me 18 and a half years to realize this powerful epiphany: no matter the outcome of my academic performance, I am still loved, and my parents are still proud of me. Calculated grade point averages, ranks in classes, letter grades on assignments; these intangible and meaningless words and numbers do not define me, my intelligence, or my worth.
I am finally beginning to take heart to the strong words that my mother and father have always told me throughout my schooling, "As long as you try your best, that's all we can ever ask of you." I'm filled with joy to finally proclaim that if I make mistakes and do not receive perfect grades, I am no less intelligent, no less appreciated, and definitely no less loved.
6. You are where you are meant to be.
Something that I have continually struggled with is regret. Regret of choosing the wrong school, not applying to more schools, not doing better on my SAT's, etc. Regret, in its many forms can be crippling and paralyzing; allowing you to rethink so many concrete decisions of the past and doubt yourself.
I think it is normal to think about what could be, but to obsess over what is not is completely different. I continue to ask myself, am I where I'm truly meant to be? Is Speech Therapy or Psychology really what is written on my heart to pursue?
The one true answer that I can begin to fathom is, I don't know. It's so true! But the beautiful significance of not knowing is this: Only God knows. I chose one college for a reason, I was meant to meet certain people and become close to them for a reason, I began to write for an online company for a reason.
I'm not exactly sure about all of the details of my life in its current moment. I'm not sure what will be in one years time, or five years down the road, and that is OK.
I truly believe that in this exact moment, I am where I am meant to be. Through providence, I can be confident about the next phase of my life that I am continuing to embark upon. You were beautifully and uniquely made, and are placed where you are supposed to be, whether you know it now or not.
7. Do not merely exist, live.
Take prime advantage of opportunities in front of you, experience different cultures, broaden your perspective, and love others.
