One of the most terrifying and exciting words out there: college. I can honestly say that my decision was not easy, between finding the school for me, then seeing if I can afford it... let's just say, yikes. But ultimately I made a decision and I could not be happier but one thing they do not tell you when you apply to college...the truth. So here it is, 10 cold hard truths about college.
1. You will miss you parents and be homesick.
It just an inevitable fact. At some point, you will be homesick and the phone calls just will not do. But please do not try to be "cool" and act like you are not missing your bed and your mom because I can guarantee someone else is going through the same exact thing. It's a rough time but there will always be people to support you. Use them.
2.College friends are the best but nobody compares to your hometown buddies.
Coming from the girl with a tight group of 6 best friends from home. You will miss them...a lot. The best way to cure this is to take tons of pictures with them and plaster your walls with them, surround yourself with those who love you and who you love, it really does help. Plan visits, FaceTime a ton, and tell them how much you miss because they miss you just as much.
3. Get creative and get healthy.
As far as dining halls go, most of them are not a five-star restaurant unless you go to UMass Amherst so getting creative is your only option. Coming from a gal at a school with Sodexo, I learned to get creative. Also, the freshmen 15 is a thing, tread carefully. The dining hall is a dangerous game, respect it.
4. IT IS OKAY TO HAVE A ROUGH NIGHT.
Drinking, College and a rough night…the real triple threat. I am here to tell you that having a rough night is okay, as long as they’re all not rough nights. It's college, you need a few stories to tell your grandkids anyway, right?
5. It is okay to be in a relationship, it's also okay not to be.
Relationships do not get easier in college, but that is okay. Whether you meet your soul mate at orientation or have a new guy as often as the weather changes in New England (maybe not that often but you get the point) Either is okay, if you are happy, then not much else matters.
6. Let go of the ex from high school.
Okay, you are in COLLEGE, it's time to move on, leave him/her in the past. It will not work and hooking up when you are home is not helping anyone. Be friends or don’t -- either way, it’s time to move on, allow yourself to grow because trust me you will not regret it.
7. College is the time to branch out…so do it.
Although it is easy to stick with the first person you meet at orientation (#bffls!!!!!!) don’t. You miss out on amazing people. Spark up conversations with strangers, talk to your crush from Intro to Psych 100, or just to speak to that kid you have four classes with but never say a word to and see all across campus yet neither of you address it… basically you can never have too many friends.
8. Decorate, decorate, decorate.
Bring 1000 pictures or bring one but make that room your own. I did not bring nearly enough decorations the first day but ended up covering, yes I do mean covering, my entire wall with pictures from both college Saturday nights and hometown friends, being surrounded with such awesome memories never fails to remind me where I came from and where I’m going.
9. Explore.
Going to a school twenty minutes from Boston and living on the beach, I can tell you that some of the best times I have had were spent heading on a train into the city or just driving along the coast. The beach is a great place to spend an 80 degree day or to procrastinate that English paper for another day (Sorry Mom) So whether you are in the mountains or on the beach like me, go find what makes your area different.
10. Lastly and most importantly… have fun!
Between class, social pressures, staying in shape, and fitting in your daily nap, it gets hard and sometimes the pressure seems to be a little much but do not lose sight of it all. Let loose a little and take chances. College is the best four years of your life and that all starts with you choosing to make it so. Lose yourself, find yourself, then do it all again. Talk to that cute boy, speak your mind and do everything you could have ever dreamed of. It’s your world, make it so.
