With the end of my college career coming to a close soon and having done it all, from making some of the biggest mistakes to some of the best decisions of my life, I've put together a list of the top five things that I would tell a soon to be college freshman.
1. Your GPA isn't as big of a deal as you think it is.
Yes, it'll help you get scholarships, and it's definitely important if you're planning on going to Graduate School. However, if you're a part of the majority of students who plan on leaving the days of classes and papers behind after obtaining your Bachelors degree, it isn't a big deal. Now that I've begun to get my toes wet in the professional world I have a big tip for you. Not once have I been asked what my GPA was and what I learned in my classes. Instead, potential employers seem to care more about your connections, experience, and ability to catch on quick. So if you're a student who doesn't test well, don't stress the small stuff.
2. Take your hard classes your first two years.
I completely understand that you want to make the most of your freshman year, but if you'll take the hard courses in the beginning you will do much better. Whether it's because you still have a vague idea how to do balance chemical equations and what the Pythagorean Theorem is, getting them out of the way will make your college years much easier. Plus, if you take them in the beginning, that leaves you with the last few years full of classes that you actually want to take.
3. Do what works for you.
If that means taking early classes or only signing up for later classes, it's important to do what works for you. While it really is fun to have classes with your friends; having a schedule that works for you is so much more important, and it will help you succeed in your classes.
4. Take opportunities.
Whether that means joining clubs, rushing, or studying abroad ~*TAKE CHANCES*~ These are the last few years of your life that society will find it acceptable for you not to have any clue what you're doing. In a few short years it won't be acceptable to change your style every couple months or to take a few months off to travel around Europe. So do it, take chances. Carpe Diem.
5. Don't be afraid of mistakes and failure.
Inevitably it will happen. Whether you fail a class, you fail to find a job, or like me you almost get deported from a country, you're going to fail. I've found that through my years at FMU the lessons I learned the most were from the times I failed. While those lessons are often the hardest and most painful, they're completely necessary to help you grow up. So whenever things start to fall off track, don't freak out. Just take a deep breath and remind yourself that everything happens for a reason. Also, your best college memories will most likely come from the mistakes and failures, so learn to laugh along the way.
College is going to be one of the most difficult, challenging, and rewarding times of your life. It's a time that you'll grow in ways you don't realize. A place where you'll meet lifelong friends. Most importantly, it's a place where you find yourself. So have fun, take your classes seriously (but don't sweat the small stuff), do what's right for you, take chances, and remain calm. After all, you're in for some of the best years of your life.
