You always hear that college is the time of your life. It really can be, but maybe not for the reason you think. Sure, partying is great, and you have very little responsibility. However, what I really think makes college such an amazing time and opportunity is the transition it gives you from high school to the rest of your life.
Think about it. In high school you are completing your time with the same people you have known for about 12 years of your life. At graduation you’re probably 18, so that’s about 66 percent of your entire life so far that you’ve known these people. It’s fair to say that you have been pigeonholed by who they think you are. This perception generally comes from who you were in your younger years. Chances are you’ve changed a lot since back then. Nearing the end of your senior year, you tend to begin to start at least to understand who you are a bit more.
After high school graduation, you have a summer that will be unlike all others for the rest of your life. You're done with your primary form of education, and with the next year already planned out you have nothing, really, to worry about. This kind of summer is one you will probably never have again.
The whole time you end up thinking about the year to come. You eventually get to the thought of how do you want people to see you. Here is what makes college so great. You get to decide. You can break from the image you have been stuck with the past 12 years of your life. Potentially no one knows you at college, so why not be who you want and just be happy. It’s college after all.
Don’t dwell on who you were in the past, don’t care about what anyone will think of the real you, just be yourself. I can give you this guarantee: you will just be happier.
These years don't need to be a deep soul-searching journey. The best way to be you is to just be. Release most of your inhibitions. Don’t go around telling people you don’t like them, but many of your daily worries are just that. Many of these inhibitions come from outdated ways of thinking. As long as you are nice and somewhat funny, someone will want to hang out with you. But, I assure you that when someone is truly being himself you can feel it. It radiates off him like the best space heater you’ve ever felt.
Just try it out this year. Go into college as the real you. See if it makes a difference.
