Attending college has always been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl, I would try to imagine what college I would go to. What would I look like during college? Would I meet my future husband soon after coming to school? These are some thoughts that flooded my mind leading up to my arrival at Troy University. I was nervous because I came from a small town in Alabama where everyone knows everybody, and everything about them. I was scared to go to a big, new place where nobody knew me, but to my surprise it turned out to be the biggest blessing. How? Well, to be quite honest, I didn't even know the real me until I came to college.
1. I am more independent than I thought.
In high school, I relied on my parents for everything. I could not tell you how to do anything because I kind of just always expected them to do it for me (sorry, Mom and Dad -- please forgive me). If someone was willing to do the job, I would let them because I had become so stinking dependent on other people. But coming to college is a different story. Mom and dad are not there to hold your hand and guide your every step. You have to grow up and learn to fend for yourself. So for me, that meant doing my own laundry, feeding myself (bless the good Lord for home cooked meals), and waking myself up for that 8 a.m. class (Mom's voice was much more soothing than this darn alarm clock). I am eternally grateful for the things my parents did for me growing up, but sometimes it feels good to do things for yourself.
2. I am capable of making friends with complete strangers
As I mentioned earlier, I am from a small town where everyone knows everybody. I came into college scared that I was not going to be able to make friends. I was used to my friends being people I have known my entire life, so how I am supposed to make friends when my friends have always just been handed to me. This was challenging at first, I'll admit. I did not like having to put in the effort of getting to know someone. I did not like that whenever I would talk about back home, no one knew what or who I was talking about. But making new friends in college has truly been a blessing. These are girls that I did not know just a few short months ago, but that I now know will be bridesmaids in my wedding one day. Making friends takes time, but what a sweet reward it is!
3. My faith really is my faith.
I grew up going to church with my family. I would always hear at church, "Your faith has to be your own, it can't be just your parents' faith." I always thought, Well, duh! Of course, my faith is my own! College has really confirmed that for me. No one is there to tell you to get up on Sunday morning and go to church or go to Wednesday night service regardless of how tired you are. It is your choice and your decision. I'm thankful that college has shown me that my faith really is my faith and not just my parents.
4. I am a grandma, and that is perfectly OK.
My roommate can attest to this. I go to sleep by 10 p.m., at the latest, every night. Rarely do I make it to midnight, but if I do it is a monumental moment. But, hey, that is OK.
5. People come and go in life.
Some people who were in my life coming into college are no longer here. The relationship I was in meant everything to me, but now it doesn't. Things change. People change. That's just life, but it is okay. Life goes on. New people come and bring new and better things. Embrace that.
6. Time management.
Oh, glory. This one has become known to me in the most not so pleasant ways. It seems like there are so many things to be doing and not enough time to do them. Sure, you could go out with all of your friends but why do that when you know you have a huge paper due the next day? Hmm, truth is I really don't know why us college kids do this to ourselves.
7. Binge watching Netflix is everything.
I don't know about you all, but I have a newly formed appreciation for Netflix. Nothing is better than having a long day of classes and tests, coming home and getting in your PJs, and binge watching 20 episodes of "Grey's" while eating the fattiest foods you can find. This is the life, my friends.
8. My family means the world to me.
I knew this before college, but there's just something about leaving home that makes time with family so sentimental. In high school, you live with your family and see them all the time, but when you leave, your family isn't around every day. Weekends that I get to go home are always times I cherish.
9. It is OK to be single.
It seems like everyone around me is happily in a relationship, and sometimes it's hard to see that and not long for one for myself. But I don't want to be in a relationship just to be in one. Just be patient and the right one will come along soon enough. Enjoy just dating yourself, for now.
10. Life is short.
Each day that passes I always wonder, Where did the time go? It is sad how fast time goes by. These four years will be gone before we know it. So live it up. Make lots of friends. Make lasting memories. Laugh often. Smile always. Never look back. Keep moving.
Here's to the best four years of our lives.
