Like the rest of the nation, I’ve recently become obsessed with the musical" Hamilton." Through listening to it consecutively every day for the past two weeks, I’ve started to realize that this musical doesn’t resonate with me just because I’m a major musical theater nerd, but because this album is the voice of our generation.
"Hamilton" starts off with a young Alexander Hamilton trying to graduate college early, in order to take the steps to become somebody someday. And as we watch him grow up, we realize he’s just like us: Young, motivated and lost, trying to navigate a world that won’t stop turning. It’s time to look to our “Right Hand Man,” Alexander Hamilton, to see how to rise up.
Become comfortable with introducing yourself.
You will constantly be introducing and reintroducing
yourself to people over the course of these four years. Every new class,
friend, or potential suitor that comes your way, will require a proper
introduction. Get used to those icebreakers and take pride in your name.
People will underestimate you.
You’re young, scrappy and hungry, just like you’re country, but you’re not one to be trifled with. Prove that, but also don’t assume you’re the smartest in the room. You’re here to learn. Make your passion and commitment known that you do take your education seriously, and the work will speak for itself.
Number one priority: Work!
Don’t look for a mind at work, be that mind at work! You can’t
always be waiting for chances to fall into your lap because more often than not
you, will have to go after what you want in order to make your dreams turn into
realities. You don’t want to be waiting outside that classroom, office or
conference room where it happens; you want to be in “The Room Where It Happens,” running things!
You will struggle to collaborate with others.
You’re great, there’s no denying it, but you can only get better through learning from others. Hamilton wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without the help of his buddies John Laurens, Marquis de Lafayette and Hercules Mulligan. It all comes down to communication. Know your strengths and how they can help others, but also let others shine in the areas you lack.
Write like you’re running out of time.
Write. Write. Write. Your essays. Your tests. Your journal. Everything. You’d be surprised what results could come from expressing yourself.
Pick your battles with your roommates.
There’s no need to break out the “Ten Duel Commandments” every time your roommate uses your peanut butter or invites someone over without asking. Stick to your guns, but use your words carefully, without letting your pride get the best of you. The situation’s temporary, remember that.
It’s OK to feel “helpless”
There are many times you will feel trapped, lonely and frustrated throughout your college career. They may expose your vulnerability, but through them, you can begin to reflect and discover what it is you truly want. Sometimes the moments when you let your guard down can lead to the ones that will change your life.
Learn how to deal with difficult people.
You’re not going to like a lot of your fellow classmates. But instead of indulging your negative feelings, smile and think of how these will give you many amusing stories to laugh at when you’re older and have graduated. Learn to be patient and it will get you far.
Everyone hates playing the newly friend game and is waiting for someone else to make the first move.
By simply saying, “your pants look hot,” or that “I like you a lot” can help you start to make friends fast (alcohol also helps). You never know who you could be missing out on, knowing if you don’t make an effort by acknowledging the attributes about people you admire most.
Don’t let your losses define you.
You will gain a lot in college, but those gains will come at a cost. You will be put in difficult situations where you will have to decide what’s worth more of your time: Homework or sleep, a lover or a career, or getting food at the dining hall over takeout. From the smallest to the most frustrating decisions, you will come to a bend in the roads in which you will be forced to pick a path of which way to go. Don't let the burden of those decisions weigh too heavy on your heart.
Learn to humbly revel in your successes.
When you have those little victories, celebrate them! Don’t forget to “Take a Break” and treat yourself because after all the hard work you’ve done, you deserve it. After all, you are “Non-Stop” when it comes to killing this whole college thing. Just don’t overdo it.
Don’t throw away your shot.
With balancing work, school and a social life, it can be easy to lose sight of what you’re even doing here. Don’t forget the goals you have in mind. Look at where you are and where you started. What you’ve done already is remarkable enough, but you can go even further. And as long as you don’t cheat on your wife, have an affair with someone who is married, or fall in love with yourself that you literally start quoting yourself, you should be fine.
You get out of college what you put into it and if you put enough in, you will gain enough experiences to last a lifetime. Look around, and really take the time to look around at how lucky you are to be alive right now. If you take your time, I guarantee you will always be satisfied. This is only the beginning. There are a million things you haven’t done, but just you wait.
Just you wait.
