3 Things I learned In 1 Semester of College
Start writing a post
Student Life

3 Things I learned In 1 Semester of College

College teaches you a lot more than how to crack open the books.

40
3 Things I learned In 1 Semester of College
Brooke Simpson

As I have become fully engulfed in my second semester as a college freshman, I am finally able to realize how much I have changed, grown, and developed. College is something that you're worried about since the time you are enrolled in high school. You suddenly have to worry about GPA’s, community involvement, extracurricular activities, and so much more, just to stand out among other applicants. Then all of a sudden the day you thought would never come does: Move-in Day. This is the day that is full of all kinds of emotions — joy, sadness, confusion, frustration, fear, loneliness—you will experience it all. As the room becomes the dorm room you have designed on Pinterest, you are filled with a sense of happiness, but then your parents walk about the door and it closes and you are alone for the first time. From there, emotions are on a rollercoaster. Some days you are happy and others you are scared out of your mind.

Just when you think you can handle this, classes begin and they are nothing like all the teachers in high school told you they would be. They are demanding, time-consuming, and rigorous. You begin to engulf all your time in studying and trying to keep your head above water that you forget to focus on making new friends and learning about who you are.

But if you will, let me tell you three things I learned in one semester of college.

1. There is no place like home.

When you are picking colleges, no one ever tells you to keep in mind that 200 miles is a long way from home and sometimes you cannot drive home whenever you want. But when you first get to come home it's an overwhelming feeling that cannot be described, you try to soak up every moment you can while you are there. You finally begin to realize how much family means. But I learned I can always cling to God. “When my heart is faint lead me to the rock that is higher than I,” Psalm 61:2

2. I had never grown up.

When we turn eighteen we suddenly think we are independent adults who can take on whatever the world throws your way, but I can assure you that when you move away, you quickly learn you aren’t a superhero. I soon realized how much my mom did for me. She washed my dishes, made my food, took out the trash, did my laundry, bought groceries, cleaned up after me, and made sure my medicine was filled. I quickly did not know how I was going to make it a week without her. In one semester of college, I not only learned too much book knowledge for my brain, but I also learned that it was time to be an adult.

3. The true value in time management.

There is no “free time” in college. I feel like there is always something to do, there is always an event, or if you are an athlete there is always a practice. You truly have to figure out how to juggle school, social life, and extracurricular things while maintaining a decent GPA so you can get a job. There are still times when you binge watch TV or procrastinate a paper until 3 a.m., but time management is something that will make or break you in college.

College is a rollercoaster that will take you places you never thought you would go. Just hang on and stay in the car because it's bound to be a wild ride that will teach you more than you thought humanly possible.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47193
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29914
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954046
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

168939
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments