Ah college. A place where students can finally experience life and explore the world for themselves. It is a four-year roller coaster that you either enjoy to the maximum or regret in the future. Love or hate your experience, you will learn a lot in college, more than you ever thought you would. Here are the 10 things I learned my first semester of college.
1. It is okay not to have your life completely figured out.
Yup! That's right. While it may be hard to hear, you might not get to accomplish your life-long dream of becoming a doctor or engineer. College will really change your views on what you want to do for the rest of your life. More than half of all college students change their majors from freshman year to senior but the reality only hits when you're in that position yourself.
2. Popularity in high school stays in high school.
College is a preview for the real world and popularity is not going to come along with you for that. While it might be a hard concept to let go of, popularity in the grand scope of things, doesn't help you in any way. I know, I know, the idea of being accepted and thought of as 'popular' is something that teens strive for. But really, it is completely fine to not be popular! Focus on making close friends and sincere relationships that will last way past your teenage years.
3. Just because you passed before, does not mean you will pass this time.
Shocker! Sometimes when you take classes in high school, they will not at all help in college. Thanks for nothing trigonometry! Other times, you will thank your past self for taking on classes that help you pass with flying colors. Always keep your notes, you never know when you might need them.
4. You will perfect your system of productivity.
With many classes comes many assignments. Whether you like it or not, you will create a system to keep track of all your events, homework and tests. Not only are professors likely to tell you to "refer to the syllabus," but no one will be responsible for your grades but yourself. Find a system that works for your schedule and stick to it before things get overwhelming.
5. There are SO many classes you can take.
There will be classes for anything and everything that you are interested in. Why not make use of the options and go outside of your comfort zone? You never know where it might lead!
6. You won't care what others think of you.
If you ever did before that is. Even in a small college, people are all too busy rushing to class or trying to hear the professor from the back of the lecture hall. I once saw a student wearing a dinosaur costume on an average Wednesday. Believe me, you can be as wacky as you want. Let your crazy out. Embrace it!
7. You will not always talk to your old friends.
And that is totally fine. You might not even see them after the semester is over. Also totally fine. Even when you were hugging your friends goodbye at graduation, promising to keep in touch, there was always a possibility that you would never talk again. And it's nothing to get worked up over. The friends who will continue to make an effort are the ones who were meant to be. Also, this gives you a chance to start fresh and meet new people in college. This also means.
8. You will realize the importance of family.
It might have taken 18 long years of arguments and "I hate you"s but you will finally see the important role your family plays in your life. Maybe it is because you get older or you moved away for college, but your siblings will become your best friends and your parents your closest confidants. In the inconsistencies of school, classes, assignments and friends, your family will always be the lone consistency. #familyrules!
9. You will self-reflect. A lot.
About anything and everything. The past, the present and the future. What to eat for dinner and where you see yourself in five years. And you will learn and understand so much more about yourself in the process. College is really a time to focus on what you, as a human being, want to achieve. These four years are a great time to develop, mentally and emotionally, into the person you have always dreamed of becoming.
10. You will LEARN!
In college you learn so much about being a citizen of the world. About understanding the world and the people around you. In my experience it does not matter what class you're in, professors will always find a way to impart wisdom upon their students whether it is through anecdotes of their lives or recommendations to get through yours. Believe it or not, professors are always available to help you and have been in your place before. When they're giving advice, LISTEN! You never know what gem you might pick up.
