Now that I'm a junior and basically halfway through college, it's safe to say I've learned a thing or two at this point. So here are just a few of them.
It is okay to take a while to decide on a major.
I chose my major before I even had a single class, and part of the reason why is simply because I didn't want to be undecided. Once classes started though, I ended up changing it rather quickly. Even after I had taken some classes and did some more research I discovered a different major that was better suited for me. So although I prematurely chose a major, in the end, I found the right one for me, and that's all that matters. Of course it's best to choose as soon as possible so you can start taking classes that go towards your major, but it's also better to take your time and make sure you're making the right choice and not just picking one because you feel rushed to.
Taking classes helps you figure out what you like.
I've always liked English classes, but it was after my freshman composition class that I realized that I like it enough to make it my major. That class was required, but this applies to classes that you choose to take as well. Maybe you're interested in a class that has nothing to do with your major. You should take it! You could end up finding out that you like the subject enough to make it your minor or even major. At one point I considered having a minor in theater, so I took an acting class. It was fun, and I enjoyed the class, but I also learned that it's not for me. So don't be afraid to take some classes you think you might be interested in; finding out you don't like something isn't a waste of time.
Being able to choose your class schedule is great...and a responsibility.
Figuring out when the best time to have classes are takes some trial and error. You might think that because you had class at 8 a.m. in high school that you'll be able to do it in college too. You're probably wrong, but you won't know for sure until you try it. That being said, sometimes the classes you have to or want to take don't provide much flexibility to your schedule. That's when you have to learn to adapt and take the only available class, even if it is at an unreasonably early, late or even online.
Online classes are not for everyone.
Online classes are great. They allow you to not have to physically go to as many classes. They allow you to work at your own pace. They technically give you more free time. That being said, not everyone should take them. Sometimes the class you need may only be available online so you have no choice, but if you do, you should understand that as awesome as it is to not have to go to an actual classroom for class, it can be easy to forget assignments when you have so many for classes where professors are actually reminding you fairly often. College can be overwhelming, so it's important to make time for your online class even though you don't have a set time every other day when you have to do work for it.
College goes by really quickly.
So this one is definitely more opinion based, but to me, college has been going by even faster than high school did. It really does feel like I was walking onto campus for the first time as a freshman the other day. I'm not saying it'll be the best however many years of your life like people say about high school (which is not true about either, by the way) but what I am saying is that you should try and make the most of it. Even if you can't wait for the day you graduate, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't enjoy and look for the good things during this time of your life. Because really, this can be applied to anyone at any point in life. There's never going to be a time in our life when everything is going perfectly, so if we wait for that time to fully enjoy life, we never will. So enjoy it. Because even if it isn't the best time of your life, it'll still go by faster than you think it will.
