Each and every one of us has regrets. Events in our lives that we look back upon and say, “God, if only someone would have told me this.” From a college student’s perspective, here are 10 pieces of advice that I wish I could have told my 14-year-old self.
1. Take advantage of the free handouts from your parents while they still last.
Unless you're planning on becoming the next Mona-Lisa Saperstein, all purchased items will have to come out of your own wallet in a few years. You think you’re poor now? Wait until you’re living off of $0.89 Ramen noodles in your dorm room because Chinese food is way out of the budget (if such budget still exists).
2. You’re going to turn out to be a decent-looking human being.
Notice I didn’t say “flawless” or “a supermodel.” Leave those unrealistic expectations to the computer editing systems. But in four or five years you will (hopefully) become a mature adult that won't be caught up in self-image. Personality is far more important.
3. All that superficial high school drama? It will all be forgotten after graduation.
Don't even bother.
4. Having a job can wait.
You’ll be working the rest of your life! Hold on to those three weeks of summer camp, spontaneous sleepovers and lazy days at the beach. You don’t know how many of my college friends wistfully miss those carefree summers where they didn’t have the burden of calling off of work.
5. Don't overwork yourself with grades.
Five years from now, you won’t even remember bombing that geometry pop quiz (or use geometry in general).
6. You don’t need to have your entire future “figured out.”
Adults will say this all this time so of course you don’t want to believe it, but it’s 100 percent accurate. According to the National Center for Education statistics, college students change their major at least three times over the course of their college career. College is a time to explore your interests and discover this part of you.
7. Don’t be afraid to be a little crazy.
Someday, you’ll look upon that spontaneous Nerf gun war as a fond memory.
8. Some people are just going to be mean. Let them.
They’re going to have a huge shock that after high school. Nobody cares!
9. Don't long to grow up too fast.
Adulthood isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Yeah, you get “freedom,” but you also deal with tuition bills, job stressors, career choices and philosophical contemplations. (But hey, you don’t have to wait an eternity for your mom to pick you up anymore. There’s a perk).
10. You're gonna make it.
Because Michael Scott said so.
All in all, you just hang in there baby. If there is one thing I know for certain about life it is this, life goes on.
Love,
Your 18-year-old self.
