I began college in August of 2018. My first semester of freshman year was a whirlwind, but eventually, I settled in. It can be hard being a college student, especially when you don't know what to expect. High school was so much different than college, that for many college freshmen it can be hard to adjust. Here are four things I wish I knew before starting college.
College Can Be Where You Find Yourself, But It's Okay If It's Not
One of the biggest things I thought about beginning college was that I had to blossom into a whole new person. This isn't necessarily the case. I have friends in college that have it all figured out, and know exactly what they're doing. I have other friends that aren't sure what they're going to do. Either way, college is all about your goals, not about what everyone else is doing.
Those College Stereotypes You Hear Are Not True
Before I started college, I thought I had a good idea on the different types of people I would meet. There was the ditzy sorority girl, the douchey frat guy, those who were there to study, and those who were there for a good time. Honestly, I couldn't have been more wrong. The stereotypes in college is what almost stopped me from joining a sorority, which is now my home way from home. In college, go against what you think you know and you might find your best friends.
You Have To Be An Adult And You Will Make Mistakes, But That's Okay
If I could profit off the times that I've made a mistake since beginning Freshmen year, I'd be a rich woman. When you get to college, you are expected to become an adult as soon as you arrive. This is a learning process because being an adult is hard. You will make mistakes, and that's okay, as long as you learn from them.
C's Get Degrees
This is not a free pass to not try in your classes. However, if you are like me you did really well in high school and wanted to do great in college as well. College is not high school, though. It is hard, and stressful. A 'C' is not going to kill you, or your GPA.
College is definitely a different experience from anything you have done before or anything you will do after. I'm only (almost) one year down, and I can tell it's going to be the fastest four years of my life. Embrace your new found freedom, and enjoy it while it lasts.
