Dear Ladies,
There are so many things I want to tell you about college. And, I’m sure you have now heard that from me and about a hundred other people and articles. But, these people and articles are going to want to list off the "Do’s" and "Don’ts" of college in order to protect you from making the same stereotypical freshman mistakes. And, although these “Do’s” and Don’ts” are extremely helpful in making you think about the effects of your decisions, after experiencing one year of college, one of the most important things I have learned is that you can never just “college” based solely on “Do’s” and “Don’ts”. The world is just not black and white like that. In college, you will find that what is said to be “right” may not always be right for you. And, your “wrongs” to someone else are not actually wrong. In college, it may take some mistakes, some successes, some times of confusion and many times of happiness, but in the end, you learn - someway, somehow - that following your own arrow wherever its pointing you is the way to go.
I always say, “You do you,” and I mean and live by those three simple words. I didn’t start saying that phrase until college, but every time I say it, whether it’s to a friend or to myself, I’m restructuring my mindset from doing something that is what other people are driving me to do and I’m switching to a mindset that fits with me and my goals. The key word in this article is “my”. College is a time to take possession of your life. You worked hard to get to this incredible milestone in your life journey. And, you won’t have this opportunity to grow both academically and emotionally ever again.
So, live in the moment, but make it your moment. Dedicate every second to something you care about whether it’s your academics, friends, fun, clubs, etc. Just make sure you are not living based on how those who don’t have your best interests at heart want you to live because you will not be happy.
I can’t tell you what to do. Your parents can’t tell you what to do. Your friends can’t tell you what to do. Only you can tell you what to do. And, that is the first, and in my opinion, the hardest and most important step you can take in becoming a happy and mature college student.
Good luck, you are gonna kill it.
