1. The person who said college is great is a liar.
Now don’t get offended the first two months of school I was so homesick and lonely I am almost certain I told my mother I was going to transfer to University of Memphis. U of M is where everyone from my High School usually goes. I would have my friends, family, and church family.
2. Now then, the person who said college is great was also telling the truth!
Once you get a routine and some semblance of normalcy and familiarity with some other college kids who do not let you lock yourself up in your room, you will love the college experience. Honestly, as a sophomore in college I love spending time with my friends and having my best friend as my roommate, but I would not have known my best friend if I did not go to the events that happen all around campus. I love learning new things (not the whole getting graded on what I have learned though) and challenging myself and trying to do the best I can.
3. You have to be okay with going to events alone.
Sometimes you make plans with friends and something better comes up for them. When plans do get cancelled you just need to go on and do your thing. Over the whole course of my college career, I have had people cancel on me multiple times and sometimes my introverted shyness wins and I do not go to the event and I regret it while I am holed up in my room. Other times I put that introvert to rest, go out to the events, and have the best time ever and am glad that I went.
4. If your friends invite you out, and you are not doing anything. GO!
You never know when that period of having nothing to do will turn into a cloud of due dates and tests hanging over your head. Have fun while you can! #FINALSARECOMINGSOON
5. You have to be satisfied with being single.
In this period of time you get to work on self-improvement instead of worrying about a relationship. You can do whatever you want and have plenty of free time to do it. No excessively worrying about your appearance. If you want to put on the sweats go for it! No need to try and impress someone or fish for a compliment. Want to spend a day cut off from human interaction and watch Netflix all day and night. It doesn’t matter and don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.
6. On the other hand, if a cute guy or girl walks up to you and compliments you, get their name!
(Side note: you may also want to get those digits with it.) If this happens to you please get their number. Do not follow in my footsteps and get tongue-tied and awestruck by them. Maybe, it will develop into something more and you do not have to have “What if’s” floating through your head for months after the fact every time you see them.
7. Do not forget about your friends back home.
Yes, I know you have a lot of friends. It will take a while to say hi and have a conversation with them all. Just remember that they might be feeling lonely and think of how much you will make their day by calling, sending a text, or posting a picture or status about them just to say you are thinking about them. I could not tell you how happy I was my freshman year of college when friends would text me on my birthday or Christmas or just randomly to see how I was doing and what I was up to. It really touches your heart when it happens to you. If this happens to you make sure you reply to them and tell them thanks!
8. DO NOT FORGET TO CALL HOME!
You don’t have to call every single day, but you should make an effort to see how they are at the very least once a week or every two weeks. They are the ones that helped shape you into the person you are today. It’s the least you could do.
9. Make sure you think of the bigger picture of why you are in college.
It is not to party, get a boyfriend/girlfriend, or JUST to have fun. No, you here to get a degree so you can establish yourself in a career and support yourself during your life. When things get tough, remember that you are trying to change the world whether it be for yourself or to help someone else.
10. Do not overwhelm yourself.
Please do not go overboard while you are in college. Do not take 20 credit hours if you are not going to be able take the work load. If you get stressed easily or get so anxious about your work that you cannot handle anything please go to the free counseling that your University offers. Remember that your professors do not want you to fail and everyone on your campus that has the ability would gladly help you if you need it.
Have fun and enjoy your life!
