As a seasoned college veteran with precisely one semester under my belt, I'd say I'm fully equipped to be dispensing advice and words of wisdom to everyone out there. (Just in case the computer made it unclear, this was sarcastic. I still have a lot to learn). Regardless of whether I'm fully equipped to become the wise old man on the mountain, I'm here and ready to tell you about what I've learned.
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1. Failure is inevitable.
As a perfectionist, this was a pretty hard lesson to learn. But whether it's a test or a piece of homework or an exam or a final or the entire course, you will fail. And that's okay. (Don't worry, Mom, I didn't fail all of my courses). So take a deep breath, try your hardest, but understand that college is hard and you will most likely fail something.
2. Studying is not optional.
In high school, I was one of those annoying kids who didn't have to study often. I came into college thinking it would be similar but after the first lecture, I knew I'd have to study a lot harder and more consistently if I wanted to succeed.
3. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
(Are you sensing a pattern here? Me being a perfectionist having to adjust to being a small fish in the big pond is a major theme of this article). If you don't understand something, it's important to go to the tutoring center, go to the professor's office hours. Have questions. Be your own advocate.
4. Make time for yourself.
Binge on a few episodes of your favorite show on Netflix . Go out and see that new movie you were curious about. Put your headphones in and blast a playlist of all the songs that make you feel like you're in the credits of a movie. Turn out the lights and close your eyes for a few minutes. Whatever you need to do, take a break from all that studying and relax.
5. Make studying fun.
Studying is so much more successful if you're making it memorable and making it fun. Get a group together from your class and quiz each other on flashcards or maybe just have your friends help. Just try and avoid studying alone in your room, reading from the book on the floor while everyone else is having fun next door (not that I would have any experience in this...).
6. Find the closest animal shelter and visit some weekend.
Alright, so maybe this doesn't apply to everyone because not everyone likes animals. And this certainly doesn't apply to me because my animals are five minutes down the road at my house (see here for more) . But I have friends whose animals are anywhere from 60 to 3,000 miles away from their pets so I have witnessed the struggle of them missing their animals during school. For them, visiting the shelter was like a gift from heaven above to pet all of those animals.
7. People deserve more than two chances... but not for the same mistake.
I'm gonna be honest with you here. My friend Allie helped me figure out this one, but it's probably my favorite lesson so far. I've always considered myself pretty forgiving for stuff and willing to give second chances. But if they keep making the same mistake you need to nip that toxic relationship in the bud before it gets worse. #DON'Twastemytime2k16
8. I am fortunate to have become so close with my roommate.
I know Cass' heart (and her ego) are out there swelling with pride- bless her little Vermont heart. But really, I am lucky. I've heard some horror story about roommates moving out midsemester, having boys over in their roommates' bed and just plain being rude. I was fully prepared to walk in and become acquaintances with my roommate. As long as we could coexist peacefully, it was fine. I was not prepared to find a best friend but I am thankful for it every day.
9. Structuring out your time is necessary...
Since your class schedule is so much different from it may have been in high school, you're probably going to have large chunks of time where you have no responsibilities. DO NOT LET THIS FOOL YOU. You can't spend all of your free time on Netflix, despite what I said earlier. While I am all for carving out some 'me time', you need to balance it with study time. Homework time. Nap time.
10. ... And so is going to the gym.
I get it, it's hard. My school's gym is uphill and all the way across campus from me so it's just a struggle to even muster the strength to get there. But it's necessary. Prevent the "Freshman 15" by scheduling in chunks of time to go and walk on a treadmill or go to a Zumba class. Trust me, it doesn't have to be intensive labor but something is better than nothing.
So, I may not be hermit-guru level yet, but I'm getting there. I'm learning and I'm growing and I am certain that come the end of spring semester, I'll have some more revelations for you all. Happy Holidays!
