It’s funny how you think you know everything once you hit the age 13. This phase usually lasts until you’re at least 18 or 19 and you’re alone at college. You fall flat on your butt and realize how much you still have to learn and that high school honestly didn’t prepare you for much. It’s worse when you’re hours away from home, not to mention going to a college where you didn’t know anyone. After one year and a half years at college, this is what I’ve come to realize.
1. I regret every nap that I didn’t take as a child. I probably would be stocked up on sleep if I would have just listened to my mom.
2. Speaking of Moms, she’s always right. After 20 years, I have finally accepted it.
3. I actually am not as independent as I thought I was. “Mom, please make my doctor’s appointment.”
4. Budgeting is not my forte. Welcome to the life of living paycheck to paycheck. Also paying for food or drinks in change is becoming a norm for me.
5. Dressing up for class is not something college students do. Makeup isn’t a thing at 8 a.m. Neither is going to class prepared.
6. The library is your safe place. You might even become best friends with the lab assistants who work there.
7. That kid rollerblading to class isn’t weird -- he’s being innovative and honestly he’s getting to class faster than you.
8. The Freshman 15 is a real thing. Don’t let it get you. Go to the gym.
9. Usually there aren’t assigned seats, but if someone takes your seat, it’s a big deal. After the third week of classes, that girl shouldn’t be sitting in your seat.
10. Going to college alone was actually a great idea. Forcing yourself to be social to make friends worked.
11. You’ll miss your family and friends from home so much that it hurts sometimes, but you’re learning to appreciate all the time you got to spend together. Every time you hang out now, it will be a little more special.
12. Long distance relationships are completely feasible. They’re a lot of work, but with the right person, it’s worth it.
13. On the opposite side of that, being single and enjoying the freedom is great too. Just remember to respect yourself and be safe.
14. You’ll probably want to bring headphones and a charger everywhere you go. I would say a pillow too, but you’ll get funny looks for that one.
15. Smiling and saying hi to people when you’re walking around campus or talking to the person who sits next to you in class will get you places. It doesn’t seem like it, but those people have the potential to mean so much to you.
College will be some of the best experiences and memories of your life. You’ll have those crappy memories and sad days, but that’s life. The most important thing that you should realize about college is that you don’t have it together, and that’s perfectly OK. No one really ever has it all figured out.
