It feels like it was just yesterday when my parents moved me into my dorm and told me to embrace every moment of this school year because it will fly by. Wow, my parents were not wrong about that. My parents gave me a lot of advice before they hugged me goodbye.
"Study and work hard because your hard work will pay off in the end. Come out of your shell and be yourself."
I took my parents' advice and I could not be happier with the outcome of my freshman year of college. Looking back on the school year feels like it was all just a blur. The days went by slowly, but the year went by so fast. Now that I am one-quarter done with college, I learned a few lessons, so take a look!
1. It is good to talk to your family members on the phone every day.
Your parents want to know you are doing well in college and they will always be there for you.
2. Keep in touch with friends from home.
There is nothing better than catching up with old friends.
3. Do not be offended if you walk past your friend on campus and he or she does not say hi to you.
4. It is good to step out of your comfort zone.
College is about trying new things. Even if it is something you thought you would never do, go for it!
5. Always keep a carton of ice cream in the freezer.
This lesson may not seem that important, but trust me, it was one of the most useful things I learned during my freshman year.
6. College is nothing like high school.
"Now that I'm in college and not high school anymore, it's a whole new ballgame!"
7. It is a necessity to go to class.
For all of those times you miss class, you never know if you will miss out on an important lesson that will be on an upcoming exam. Even if you do not want to go to class, you need to toughen it out and still go.
8. The friends you will meet during the first week of school may or not end up being your friend by the end of the school year.
Remember that girl you met while you were standing in line for food during the first week of school? Well, at the time, you thought she was going to be your best college friend. For some people, that friend is still your good friend.
9. It is OK to branch out and do something on your own.
Of course, we abide by the buddy system. But, it is OK to do something by yourself without needing your friends to tag along with you.
10. It is important to treat yourself every now and then.
Sometimes, you might get caught up helping out your friends and you need to do something for yourself for once.
11. Everyone and everything changes.
12. It is OK to give things a second chance.
13. You need to strategically plan out when you will go to Starbucks every day.
Because I don't think you want to be stuck in a long line.
14. Naps are a necessity.
I never appreciated taking naps when I was a little kid because I was always restless. Now that I am in college, I always take on any opportunity I have to take a nap.
15. Your college friends will become your biggest support system.
College means going to college and being away from your parents. In my case, I went to college across the country, which means that my family is miles away from me. Therefore, the friends I met in college became my go-to people.
16. The school year will go by quickly.
That's a wrap for freshman year! See you soon, sophomore year!
