The first year of college is a tough year for everybody. Your whole life is basically uprooted, torn apart and tossed in different directions while you, and you alone, try and build a new one. Not that this is a bad thing. College is all about new experiences, making new friends, learning about yourself and the rest of the world and where you fit in it. Now students, teachers and parents go into college knowing that it's going to be a major adjustment, so we try and prepare oursleves. We take harder classes in high school to prepare for the workload and learn time management. We try and get out of our comfort zone every once in a while to put ourselves out there to prepare for the college social life. Even after all that, there are still a few things that I wish I had figured out before I left.
1. Time management really is everything.
Really cementing the skill of balancing homework and studying with hanging out with friends would have really lessened the number of all-nighters I pulled last semester.
2. Some stress is OK, but too much stress isn't helping anybody.
Sometimes being a little stressed out can be a good thing, especially if it motivates you to finish that paper before the deadline. But if you allow yourself to stress out about every little thing, nothing will go the way you want it to.
3. Romantic relationships should be very low on your list of priorities.
Being in a relationship is great and all, but never allow yourself to be more focused on finding a significant other or wondering what your crush is doing than focusing on your friendships.
4. There is a difference between letting off steam and going way too hard.
This is college, and at college there are parties. Dancing with friends is a good way to blow off a tough week, but making life-altering decisions and blacking out is not a good way to blow off a tough week.
5. Having more than one group of friends is good thing.
Don't feel obligated to only hang out with your "squad." Make new friends who share some of your interests and are in different circles.
6. Keeping up with old friends should be very high on your list of priorities.
While you're out there living life and making new friends, don't forget that your old friends don't go away just because you don't see them every day like you used to.
7. Failing at something is not the end of anything.
This is college, and you will fail. It's just a fact. But whether or not you fail isn't the test; it's how you handle the failure. You can either let it affect the rest of your life or you can learn to move past it.
