In middle school, you wished you were in high school. In high school, you wished you were in college. In college, you're ecstatic you're in college. After graduation, some days you miss college.
If you're not quite to college yet, I'm sure you've heard stories and seen pictures of your older friends that make you think college is a blast. Or maybe you're a college graduate and you see college as a place that you thought was the "real world" but right after graduation, found out that it wasn't actually the real world. If you are in college, you probably hate it one day, love it the next day, want to drop out the next, then wish you could stay in college forever the day after that.
Growing up I always had people tell me "College will be the best four years of your life!!" and for the longest time leading up to actually getting to college, I believed them. But here's the thing, now that I'm in college I truly hope these are not the best years of my life. I hope these four years are equipping me to live out the best years of my life.
For me, college has been a place of tremendous growth. It has forced me out of my comfort zone where I can learn, meet new people, grow, experience new places and new things and change my view on life itself. I'm incredibly thankful for these four years and what they are teaching me.
College teaches acceptance.
Sometimes it's okay to make a B. Not everyone is going to like you. You are taking four or five classes, so you will most likely have multiple exams in one week. The week before finals is death. Studying to make the Dean's List means lack of sleep. Accept it.
College teaches grace.
I've learned to show grace to others and to myself. We're all imperfect and we all fall short every day. Beating ourselves or others up about that fact only makes things worse. When we don't measure up to our own standards just remember that tomorrow is a new day. Don't carry your shortcomings with you into the future.
College teaches trust.
Did I choose the right major? Is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life? Is that guy going to actually finish his part of our project? Will I find "the one"? There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about how much I trust Jesus with my future.
College teaches perseverance.
I cannot tell you how many times I have made the comment "I'm just going to drop out of college and live on my parents' couch." No matter how difficult college has been, I have continued to persevere through the exams, late nights, roommate fights and multiple jobs.
College teaches responsibility.
We now have a slew of bills, deadlines, exams, work and community service hours to keep up with.
College teaches humility.
There is always someone smarter, someone more dedicated, someone more willing and someone more talented. Don't let this bring you down. Use it as a motivation to be the best version of yourself.
College is a perfect time to try new things, to grow, to mess up and to learn. It's a time of freedom mixed with responsibility. Live it up and soak in all of the lessons you can. College has been the best years of my life so far, but I hope that it doesn't go downhill from here. I hope I can take the lessons I've learned and experiences I've had and live out a happy life!
