As my first year of college is quickly coming to an end, I am looking back on the things that I had learned. Between the new friends, the heartbreaks and going from the country to the city, it's been a year to remember. While there is well more than 10 things I had learned about throughout my freshmen year of college, these are something's I wish someone had explained to me before I started and I feel whoever is reading this should know.
1. The people you knew from high school? Yeah most of them you won’t stay in touch with.
I was the girl in high school who wasn’t a part of a certain crowd, but friends with everyone. Now, coming to the end of my first year in college I only talk to two people from my graduating class. One who is still my best friend to this day, but that doesn’t always stay the case. Most of the friends I see myself staying friends with through life I have met in college.
2. You’re supposed to do stupid stuff sometimes.
My first year of college I definitely did some things that I am not proud of, but that’s what life is about and that is something some people tend to forget. Life is about making mistakes and learning from them. Everything happens for a reason, regret nothing.
3. It’s okay to be unsure.
People go to college with the expectation that they have to know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives. I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life and that’s okay. That is a big decision to make. It’s okay to not know yet, you have time.
4. You are going to think you found “the one..." it might not always work out.
My first relationship lasted three years. If you had asked me two months before we broke up, I would have told you that he was the one that I was going to marry, he was “the one”. I honestly never thought that we would break up. After I left for college I realized otherwise. It was hard at first, but in time I found someone else and I’m sure it won’t be the last. It’s okay if your first relationship doesn’t work out.
5. Being single is okay.
Before I dated for the first time, all I wanted was a boyfriend. All I wanted was to feel loved by someone. After I dated for the first time, I realized that I didn’t need to be in a romantic relationship to feel loved. I realized that was what friends are for.
After being hurt time and time again, I realized that my happiness should depend on me and only me, not on other people. Don’t be afraid to let go of a toxic relationship. If it’s meant to be, it will be. But until then, enjoy being single because I promise you as soon as you’re not, you will miss it.
6. You can’t do everything.
There are going to be times when your friends are doing things and you can’t go because of another obligation. You don’t have to do everything. Trust me, you will have more than enough opportunities to do things. It’s okay to say no sometimes.
7. 2 a.m. is early.
Before college, I thought midnight was late. Now, after spending my first year in college I discovered that after midnight is when I get my best work done. I stay up until 4am some days working on papers, no coffee needed.
8. Keep food in your room.
Speaking of 2 am, YOU WILL GET HUNGRY AT 2:00 a.m.. So will your friends and they will think that your food is theirs. And remember, you are a college student, you can't afford to order food every night. I suggest always keeping your room stocked with snacks. Some popular ones from my freshmen year were ramen, mac and cheese, and popcorn.
9. The library is going to be your best friend.
Before college, I never went to the library. Now I feel like I should just get a bed put in because I literally live there. You might think you will be able to get through college without studying, sure you did it in high school, but you can’t. Don’t get frustrated with your professor when you spend 12 hours studying for a test and still hardly get a C… that’s college.
10. You will be doing a lotttt of walking.
Especially because at my school you are not allowed to have a car on campus for the first 2 years, I walk everywhere, from class across campus to McDonald’s at 3 am. You will know all of the food places in walking distance from campus, as well as their hours.
Before I left for college I was more concerned about the classes and the parties, or whether or not I was going to get along with my roommate. These are some things I didn't even take into consideration until after I started college that I feel should be taken into consideration.
