Well, here we are. It is the end of another school year. Usually, I am jumping for joy, but this year it became a little more sentimental... I realized that I only have one more year before I graduate and have to become a "real adult." But I'll admit that this has been the toughest semester of my college career. I worked 3 jobs along with being a full-time student.
I know. I sound crazy. But I’m here to share some things with you about my college career. The things I have learned about myself over the past 3 years of college are that I rarely say no, I have FOMO, and I hate being alone. All of these things make me a huge extrovert. But it has been one of the most rewarding things for me in college.
Let me fill you in on some lessons I have learned about how to enjoy life to the fullest over the past 3 years.
1. Your GPA is not eternal.
Remember in high school when everyone freaked out about the ACT and how important it was to get a good score? We were obsessed with getting the highest score so we could look better than our friends. We were also told that was the only way to get scholarships and get into college. We were defined by that number.
But since being in college, I can't recall the last time someone asked me about my ACT score. Why? Because it doesn't matter anymore and it never defined who I was or how smart I was.
Similarly, it seems like we are defined by our GPA in college. But I dare you to ask any college graduate about when they last discussed their GPA. I guarantee they couldn't tell remember a time or probably even remember what it was. Why? Because again, it doesn’t define who you are. I’m not telling you to fail classes, but all A's doesn't make you better than someone else. Some B’s and C’s at the end of the day are not the end of the world and will not matter after college.
2. Build relationships and make connections.
Things that do matter after college are the people you meet, build relationships with and make connections with. The world tells us it’s about how much we know and how much money we have. But I believe that it’s who you know and not all about what you know. The people you surround yourself with are the ones who make you who you are.
My freshman year I was super involved in a campus ministry. I was placed in a bible study that changed my faith drastically. I absolutely loved my bible study leader. Although we kind of lost connection after school let out that year, the following summer we rekindled our friendship and she started mentoring me. Now, I can say she’s one of my best friends. I’m even in her wedding that is in 3 months (EEEEKKK).
My sophomore year, I decided to go through with recruitment. Let me just say that was a decision I’ll never regret. My sorority has pushed me to be a better version of myself, given me endless opportunities, and given me friends who I could not live without.
This year, I finally decided on my major and they repeatedly tell us that it is all about connections to get places in our field. I truly believe that because I would not have gotten my internship for this summer had it not been for the people I knew.
The people in my life are the reason I am who I am today. The people you meet in college will probably be the ones who you didn't even realize you needed. Find your tribe and love them hard.
3. The stress is not worth it.
Stress is the devil. Most days I just have to say, “not today stress, not today." No college kid needs to stress and have grey hair by the time they graduate. This is the time before we begin reality. This is the time we should enjoy life. I used to stress so much that I couldn’t sleep, but it isn’t worth it.
Don’t stress through college about your grades, money, or friendships. Go introduce yourself to your crush, go talk to the people at that table, go apply for that dream job, go eat ice cream with friends, go to that movie even though your paper is due in 3 days. Don’t let things that you won’t remember in 5 years ruin the memories that you will want to remember. Don’t stress so much you can’t enjoy life, because that will be your regret. (Trust me, been there done that).
Friend, listen to the girl who has walked ahead of you and learned some lessons. Enjoy this time in life. Learn from others, make lifelong friends, don’t stress over the little things, and make memories to last a lifetime. Life is too short. Enjoy every moment.