The entirety of your schooling you are told, "You'll need this in college" or "When you're in college everything will be different," sometimes even, "College will be the best four years of your life." I know I went into college with a lot of preconceived notions and pretty high expectations, wanting to do college the "right way." There is a lot of pressure to not only learn something that could potentially support you for the rest of your life, but also make tons of friends and have a blast while doing it. I am still learning and experiencing, I'm only a few weeks in after all, but already I can tell you there is no "right" way to do college.

When touring a school, picking out your classes and moving in, you will constantly be asked the same question, "What's your major?" Coming in undeclared feels daunting when everyone else seems to have an answer for that question but you. You might feel pressured to just pick something and be done with it. Take your time and explore, figure out what you love because this experience is about you, not the people asking you about it. Another issue students face is picking a "practical" major, one that will make you money straight out of the gate. Since being in college though, I have learned from my professors that it's one hundred percent okay to pick a major in something more abstract, that you love. For one, you will do better in your course work because it's something you are really passionate about and two, there are plenty of jobs that will have opportunities that don't necessarily need a person with a degree in that field. Before you give up on that art history degree, do your research. See what types of jobs you could get with that degree that you might not be aware of. Could you teach? Maybe you could work at a museum or as an appraiser? Not everyone wants to be pre-med or an engineer and that is okay.

Movies and television make college seem like one big party, and it can be for some. Going out five days a week is not for everyone and that is just fine. If you get joy out of studying in your dorm or meeting your parents for lunch, who cares if you aren't fitting the stereotype of a young person on their own for the first time. Never limit yourself of course, now is the time to explore and push your boundaries but maybe you do that by making friends with the girl next to you in class or going to a new club meeting. There is no right or wrong way to enjoy college, don't allow pressure on yourself to have the "best four years of your life" when you have so many years of life ahead of you. You will make friends, you will find your place, you will enjoy it.

College is an experience to help you learn and grow as a person, but it's your experience, it's entirely what you make of it. Do what will make you happy, not what you feel you should or what everyone else is doing. These four years are yours, you're learning to be on your own and make choices for your future. Do things that spark your passion and make you feel happy. There is no "right" way to do college.