Ever since I was a junior in high school, every adult told me that college would be the best time of my life. Since I stepped foot on campus I had made it my personal goal to contact each and every one of them and let them know how I feel about the “greatest time of my life”. Of course, all of the college trips and orientations played a part in this mass deception of how college life would be for me.
It’s granted that everyone is different, so there will be different college experiences. However, it’s easy to feel like an outsider when it seems as though all of your peers are having the time of their lives while you’re dealing with financial issues, health issues, having a hard time keeping up with class, dealing with some personal demons, or all of the above. Which was where I was starting out as a college student.
There were so many things that were going on at that time that I didn’t know how to handle them. It was a very dark moment in my life. I didn’t think I was going to make it, and that giving up was my best option. Also according to CollegeAtlas.org, 30 percent of college students dropout after their first year of college, so maybe it was only right for me to let go of this dream. Maybe it wasn’t my dream anyway, but instead a dream forced on me.
After some soul-searching I realized this is something that I wanted to pursue because I know I have so much to offer and so much to learn not just in the classroom but in life as well.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is taking responsibility for my actions. One thing is for certain, there will always be some uncontrollable events in life. However, it’s important to do what is possible, and own up to any mistakes that were made. We’re all human, so by default we make mistakes. The only way to grow as a person is to acknowledge it and use it as a building block, even if you don’t like being wrong.
Another thing big thing I learned during college is that it’s okay to reach out for help. This was particularly hard for me because I’m an introvert, so it takes me a while to open up to people and sometimes I just don’t want to. Which is okay, but dealing with issues alone can be unbearable, but reaching out for support can ease it . I would not be able to push through all of my issues without the prayers, good wishes, and listening ears from loved ones and strangers alike.
But the most important lesson I learned was always to try. Even when it seems like there is no way to write that 10-page paper due in two days ( I've done it before. I was not fun so I advise not to procrastinate) it's possible, it'll just take long hours and hard work. Which is what college is about. It's not just a time to party and enjoy the selfish years of life, but to push you to strive for better.So as the end of the semester is quickly coming to an end let the mistakes of the past couple months build you, reach out for help, and always try your hardest because the best is yet to come.
