Many of my fellow college students, even the biggest dog lovers, as well as their parents believe that having a dog in college is way too much work, distracting from school, and an all-around pain to deal with. I also believed these points until eight months ago when I got a two-month-old dachshund puppy named Finley. This was one of the best decisions I have made in my collegiate years. These are the five things I have gained from being a dog mom and college student.
1. Time management skills
The majority of college students struggle with time management, and I was no exception. Being the mother of a needy dachshund puppy, I had to learn to plan my entire day ahead in order to accompany Finley and I. This compelled me to have to schedule my days, because without managing my time correctly either Finley's needs or my needs would be placed on the back burner. Having a dog in college required me to plan time every day to take him on walks, feed him, and play with him. I also had to set time aside to read my textbooks before every class, leave time for extracurricular commitments, have time to study, as well as time to see my friends. During my first semester of having a dog in college, my everyday life began to feel more structured and my grades greatly improved. Thanks to my dachshund I have gained a significant and necessary life skill.
2. Patience
I have to say, having a puppy does require a whole bunch of patience- which I used to not have a lot of. Teaching Finley to go to the bathroom outside was quite the challenge. Especially since dachshunds are notorious for being stubborn, therefore very difficult to potty train. Since I love my dog very much I began to learn to be more patient every time he had an accident in the house, chewed my favorite shoes or my computer charger. Through learning to be more patient with Finley, I have learned to be more patient with people and life in general. Patience is a life skill that is important because it makes you a happier and successful person.
3. Motivation
It's easy in college to get down on yourself if you make a grade on a test that was lower than you expected or if your family is having problems. Sometimes people don't feel like they have unconditional support or feel lonely after a bad day, therefore leading them to feel unmotivated. Having a dog in college eliminates those feelings that lead to lack of motivation. I never feel lonely in college because of my dog Finley. I work hard in school so I can makes good grades then get a great job. I have these goals so my dog and I will have a good life during the post-collegiate years. Having a dog in college is a great way to gain a feeling of support due to the dog's unconditional love for you, therefore leaving you feeling more motivated to succeed.
4. Increased time outdoors
Everyone knows college is stressful. It's easy to get caught up in studying all day long in the library, your apartment, your dorm or wherever else you find yourself cramming for your next important exam. Even on the weekends, you sometimes just find yourself binge watching Netflix inside all day. Being a dog mom in college leads you to spending more time outdoors. I enjoy taking Finley to nearby parks and taking him on long walks or hikes. This is a great way to spend quality time with your four-legged best friend as well as a great way to have a productive study break. Exercise stimulates your mind, which helps you to retain the information you learned from studying all day long.
5. The best roommate
I have been blessed with never having a bad roommate experience during my college years. But many people I know have had horrific roommates. These people don't respect their roommate by leaving the lights on in a shared bedroom when they are trying to sleep, they invite too many people over when you are trying to study, or they are just an all-around-rude person who is always negative and not pleasant to live with. Well, if your dog is your only roommate you will never encounter any of those circumstances and you will never have to worry about those situations at all. My dog never leaves the lights on, never invites too many dogs over, and always sincerely greets me when I get home. What could be better? I couldn't possibly wish for a better roommate.
