When you enter college it can be a terrifying new environment. However it can also be a world of new possibilities and opportunities. You just need a bit of perspective. There are many things you will learn throughout your college career. Many of which will be taught to you by professors, and people who have degrees far beyond what we are only beginning to embark on. Out of the many things you learn from your education, your degree, your school and about your future occupation, there's still a few lessons you need to learn in college that can't be taught in a classroom.
1. Learn to live with someone new.
This may be one of the most difficult lessons you have to learn in college. Especially when you don't necessarily see eye to eye on everything. Learning to truly live with someone is completely different than trying to coexist with someone. When you really live with someone you do your best to communicate effectively with them, even if that means you have to find a new way of communicating. Just because you change the way you communicate doesn't mean you're giving up any part of yourself. Remember that you will have to give a little, but meet in the middle. They have to learn to give too. When you get a new roommate that you don't know, don't judge them. Get to know them. I mean really know them. Spend time with them, find out their likes/dislikes, hobbies, etc. The more you invest in the relationship, the easier it will be to live with them. Who knows? You might end up finding your best friend.
2. Learn to respect your elders.
This is something most people are raised to do, and grow up on. However, I have noticed that in college it can get you a lot further than you think. It is a decency and a courtesy. Calling someone Mr. or Ms. is a very valuable asset especially a professor. You would not believe how much further a simple "yes mam," or "no sir," goes than sucking up and making excuses for why your paper is late.
3. Learn to use your manners.
Along with respecting your elders, most people are also taught this growing up. I believe this is a whole other beast on it's own. Using your manners is a simple courtesy that should be used everyday and given to any and everyone around you. You won't believe how much respect you gain from your peers just by using "please" and "thank you." Some college students can be very rude. But it really sticks with me when someone tries to use their manners in college, because it's the right thing to do even when your mom isn't watching.
4. Learn to be spontaneous.
Even if the most spontaneous thing you ever do is go to McDonalds at 3AM for no reason. Do it. There will always be a good story or a good laugh that comes out of it. There's no time like now so don't talk yourself out of it. Just do it, I promise you will be glad you did whatever spontaneous thing your little heart desired to do.
5. Learn to build something.
This one is something everyone should learn to do. I often hear people say things like "oh I wish I could do that DIY thing on Pinterest, but I don't know how to build things." I don't care what it is, learn to put your hands and patience to the test. I don't mean paint a canvas or craft a cooler. I mean build something with a hammer and nails. Whatever it may be, it might not pan out on your first try. But once you figure out how to build something with your own two hands there is a sense of accomplishment that compares to nothing else. It breaks all the boundaries you ever thought you had about making things.
6. Learn to cook.
This is something I have not yet mastered. I can make like 4 things really well, anything outside of that is eat at your own risk. But never the less it is an important lesson, because as much as we would all love it, meal plans just don't exist in the real world. Even if you only learn to make a few things on your own, be adventurous and look up some recipes. You're probably a lot better than you think, and even if you are a bad cook for a day it makes for a good story.
7. Learn to describe yourself in one word.
This one might seem a bit odd, but it will help you in more ways than you can possibly imagine. Everyone has something about themselves that sets them apart. That one particular thing that really makes you unique. Run with it. In everything you do, make it stand out. Take that thing and make it yours in every way possible. Because once you do that you own it. People will identify you with that thing. It will make you a more confident person. Now, I don't mean something unique like big ears or blonde hair. I mean an adjective along the lines of outgoing, creative, imaginative, wild, funny, smart, insightful etc. What will suprise you is that when you start interviewing for big kid jobs after college this is a question that will come up. They will ask you to describe yourself in one word and ask you why you chose that, so you better have an answer.
8. Learn to be self-disciplined.
This is something most college students everywhere can relate to. Being self-disciplined in college is difficult, but if you learn to be discipline yourself you will be so much better off. This is not something they can teach you in a lecture. This is something you learn at 7:30 a.m. when your alarm is going off for your class at 8 a.m and you have to make the decision of getting up or hitting snooze. This is something you learn on a Thursday night when all your friends are going out and blowing up your phone to come out with them when you have a paper due the next day and you have to decide whether or not you will go out to the bars or to the library. Learning to discipline yourself is important, and there will be times you choose to not go to your 8 a.m. or go out on that Thursday when you have an assignment due the next day. That's okay. You just have to be self disciplined enough to make good choices and put the work in now to get the degree later.
9. Learn to not take things too seriously.
In today's world we read into things way too much. In college you have to learn to take things as they come. There is no other way to handle college. So maybe you didn't get the grade you were hoping for on that math test, or maybe you and your boyfriend broke up. You just have to deal with it. It's not the end of the world so don't stress yourself out. It may seem like the sky is falling now, but I promise you that the sun will shine tomorrow and it will be a better day. You just have to not sweat things too much and don't let it weigh you down. Keep your head held high and accept your defeats with grace and dignity and move on.
10. Learn that your time here is precious.
Getting ready to enter my senior year, this one has hit me like a big yellow school bus. What I would't give to be a scared little freshman again, with four untouched years ahead of me. What I wouldn't give to relive every moment I have had here. If there is one thing I wish for you whom is reading this, whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, is that you realize this does not last forever. It may seem like it will never end sometimes, but it is already closer to being over than you think. Be so thankful for the time you have, and go use it! Learn something new about yourself every day, make new friends, and keep the old ones. Go on adventures. Laugh till you pee yourself. Just do everything in your power to enjoy every minute of it and hang onto those memories because when it's over you'll look back and say "Damn, those were the best years of my life." And you'll mean it.
