Now that I have a couple days left of my freshman year I wish I could go back in time and prepare myself for the road I was about to travel down. I never thought that I would go through so many obstacles and little things that could change the way I viewed going to college.
1. The friends you first meet on campus might not be your friends in the long run.
I thought that the girls I bonded over at overnights during senior year would be my friends all throughout college. I thought we would all be close, and now when I see them we might smile or wave but that is it. It happens, and I am glad that I have a group of friends that I can hopefully see myself with in the long run.
2. Change is going to happen again.
After changing from freshmen to senior year of my high school career I thought I was done with growing as a person. Turns out I was wrong. I have found out so much about myself that I didn't even know existed. I never thought that I open up to people and talk to them. I have always been reserved and quite, but this year I came out of my shell.
3. You are stronger than you imagine.
Never did I realize that I get hit the lowest point of my freshmen year and walk out stronger from the situation. I used to just bottle my feelings inside and ran away from situations when they became too hard for me to deal with. Now I can face the situations and know that I am strong despite of anything I go through.
4. It's okay not to party.
There are no laws saying every Saturday night you have to go out and party. Sometimes it is just nice to relax and watch Disney movies with your friends and stuff your face full of food. Even staying up till 2 in the morning talking about random things isn't that bad a thing.
5. Independence is real.
I never expected to become so independent when I left for college. I can go do things on my own without worrying about texting my parents about what I am about to do and when I am about to do it. For me it took awhile to get used to, but after awhile it is very nice to be your own person.
6. Forget the freshmen 15, it's actually the freshmen 500.
Late nights + watching Netflix= late night snacking which also equals gaining weight. It happens to a lot of people and it's not the end of the world when it does happen. That's why there is a handy dandy gym and substituting fatty snacks with healthier ones (I also would have reminded myself to go to the gym more and eat healthier, but it happens. Maybe sophomore year I will pick up new habits).
7. Your roommate is not always going to be your best friend.
I thought going into college my roommate and I would be the best of friends. That is not always the case and it is fine. My previous roommate and I had personalities that matched perfectly, but our lifestyles were a bit different which lead us to clashing. In the end it didn't work out, but we still smile and say hi to each other.
8. Sometimes your roommate can be your best friend.
On the other hand my new roommate and I have our minor differences just like other most people, but we fit well together. We stay up watching movies and talking about our lives. We have laughed together, cried together, gone on a milkshake run more times than I can count and I love it. Just because they are your roommate, doesn't mean they are doomed not to be your best friend.
9. It's okay not to know.
Very vague statement, but I wish I could have told myself at the beginning it's okay not to know the answers to everything. We are in a time that people constantly ask us so many questions that are centered around the years to come, and sometimes it is okay to not know that answer at that moment. You may not know it now, but eventually you will.
10. College really is the best years of your life.
Whoever said high school was the best four years of your life was very wrong. College allows you to grow and express your true self. There is no one constantly reminding you of the past of how you used to be which allows more room for growth. There are so many amazing opportunities out there within reach. In words of Hannah Montana, "Life's what you make it, so let's make it rock."
Looking back these life lessons would have been nice, but at the same time I am glad I was able to grow and learn from these experiences on my own. With year one down it will be exciting to see what the other three years have to offer.
