You’ve finally made it to college! All of the (seemingly) pointless work you did in high school led you to this huge milestone. Moving away for the first time to go to college is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Being on your own for the first time, with no parents telling you what you can and can’t do (especially to those of you with strict parents), you can get caught up in all of it. College is supposed to be fun, the best years of your life; it’s also meant to be the stepping stones that prepare you for a career, something you can see yourself loving.
Partying is part of college. Some people like it; some people don’t. That’s OK. For those of you who like it, take the time to figure out what you have on your plate the following week before going out all weekend. If you have a paper due or an important exam, maybe consider skipping that weekend, and go twice as hard the following weekend when you have an easier schedule (for some of you, it might not exist). It’s crucial to balance each part of your life so that you can keep up with your classes.
Clubs and groups separate from academics are awesome. You can find so many things you’re interested in at your school’s activities fair or by walking around campus. Some of you might want to try everything, some of you might think it would be stupid. Being aware of your commitments and responsibilities is important. You want to keep your grades up, but you don’t want to have to let anyone down when you realized you over-committed. Pick three clubs that you’re interested in, try them out and maybe only participate in two for your first semester. If you like to keep busy and want to try more than that, by all means, go for it. Just remember that you need to take care of yourself as well.
Sometimes your schedule gets crazy, and you might not get to sleep, eat or drink enough. It’s usually harmless, but remember to keep in touch with your body and what it needs. Being dehydrated can get very dangerous very quickly, and if you’re sleep-deprived, it affects your immune system and your ability to fight against illness. Make sure to keep your health a top priority, because getting a C on a test is better than ending up in the hospital because you forgot to take care of yourself.
When you go to college, people say, “the world is your oyster,” or, “your future is at your fingertips.” It may seem like a lame attempt at encouragement, but it’s true. You’re on your own, to some extent, but you still have to make your own decisions. Be careful when it comes to things like attendance in your classes, making enough time to study, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with your assignments. It’s very easy for your GPA to go down, and quickly too. Manage your time wisely so that you can have fun and get a quality education experience. Being away from home is freedom. However, that doesn’t mean your decisions don’t matter.
College gives you the opportunity to do whatever you want (to some extent). No parents, no one to tell you what to do, and you can surround yourself with whoever you want. Even so, don’t forget to text or Facetime your parents and family at home every once in a while. All parents worry about their kids, give them a break by keeping in touch with them even if it’s just a couple texts every day. They’ll miss you, and even though you think you won’t, you’ll miss them too.
Be responsible, stay safe, and have fun! I wish you the best of luck with your college experience.
