My first semester of college has truly been a whirlwind. From the moment I stepped on campus in August, I was constantly learning new things about myself, other people, and adulthood. With every day, it felt like I learned something new. Now, with my first semester in the books, here are some of the most important things I learned outside of the classroom.
1. Your friends from high school will change...
This is one I think most people that went away to college/had friends that went away can relate to. You and the people you spent every day with for the past four years have grown apart. But that is okay! Obviously, you guys aren't going to be as close as you were when you were together every day, because now instead of a couple minutes separating you, its a couple hundred miles. The important lesson that I learned about my high school friends is the ones that want to continue to be apart of your life will make the effort to do so. When you guys see each other and tell each other about all the awesome things the other is doing, you pick up right where you left off. Those are the friends that are worth it, and those are the people that will stay in your life.
2. But your family will always be there.
Now, with all that being said about friendships changing and people drifting, your family will always be there for you. When I went away to college, I realized just how much my parents do for me and how utterly lost I am without them. Although I have pretty much adjusted to living life independently, I still text and call my parents constantly for help. We talk everyday, sometimes multiple times a day, not only for me to ask them about things, but just to talk about our days. It's important to make the effort to talk to not only your parents, but your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins too, especially if you are in as big and close knit of a family as mine. Staying updated on their lives and letting them know about yours is comforting when you haven't seen them in a while.
3. The friends you make in this first semester will be some of your life long friends.
I went into college knowing one person; I didn't even meet my roommates until the day we moved in. But all I can say is, I lucked out because the people I live with are some of the best people I know. It's awesome to have friends that are there for you 24/7, both physically and figuratively. When you live with your best friends, you always have someone to binge watch Netflix with or someone to accompany you to the dining hall when you're just really in the mood for late night ice cream. And when you're upset or missing home, or when you really need to stop procrastinating, they are there for you too. Me and my roommates have grown disgustingly close in these first few months and have shared some of the first memories of college together, and I can't wait for the many more we are going to share.
4. Time spent by yourself is time well spent.
Now as much as I love spending time with my roommates, sometimes you just need some time for yourself. Maybe you've had a bad day, or you just don't feel like interacting with anyone and you just want to be alone; that is perfectly normal. Everyone needs time to themselves to relax and do what they want, whether that's studying or catching up on your favorite show, or if its just taking a nice nap, and everyone should be entitled to it. Time by yourself is essential to staying sane when you spend 24/7 with people and luckily, me and my friends are on the same page with this one and know when to give each other some space.
5. College isn’t like the movies.
Everyone has this picture perfect vision of what college is going to be like; with the insane parties and crazy fun sports games- I was definitely one of those people. But when I got to college, I realized it was nothing like what I had pictured it to be from the movies. College is hard, and more often than not, you find yourself staying in with your friends instead of going out to some crazy party. Now I'm not saying that college isn't fun at all, and this definitely depends on the school you go to, but don't go into college with expectations that you're going to live life like you're in a movie, especially in your first semester.
6. STUDY!
Like I said, college is hard. You'll study harder than you ever had to in high school, and if you never studied in high school, you're going to study now. If you actually study throughout the semester, it won't be as stressful during finals. If you actually read the textbook, it won't be as confusing during classes. Unfortunately this one I know from experience; one of the lessons I learned the hard way.
7. Everyone around you is in the same boat.
When I first came to school, I was nervous about making friends, enjoying my classes, and just about everything in between. Once I realized that everyone around me is all aboard the same struggle bus, I found it much easier to talk to new people. No one cares what you look like or how you dress, and no one is going to judge you about how you look or what you wear. College is a completely different ball game than high school, and that is much appreciated when I wake up 10 minutes before my morning class and roll out of bed.
8. Getting involved is smart.
Its not uncool to get involved; its actually really smart if you want to enjoy your college experience. By getting involved in things you really enjoy, you can meet a lot of new people that are interested in the same things as you. And, getting involved keeps you busy throughout the day, which if you're like me, if necessary to ensure the day is productive and not spent napping the day away.
9. Naps come over everything.
Which brings me to one of the most important points, napping is a priority. You have to study for an exam? Nap. Oh, what about that homework you have to do for class in a couple hours? Nap. Napping is the answer that solves most problems - when in doubt, nap it out.
10. Appreciate real food.
Eating dining hall food for every meal for 3 months definitely takes a toll on the mind, body, and spirit. I have a new found appreciation for my mom's cooking, and I made sure to take plenty of Tupperware back to school whenever I went home. I learned that whenever you are offered real food at school, you take it. Club meeting giving out pizza? Sure. Care package cookies? Yeah okay. And believe it or not, you actually can learn a lot and do a lot of interesting things if you attend meetings/events that offer free food
11. Coffee is a major essential.
Even if you really didn’t drink it before college, in the first semester you will definitely find yourself extremely appreciative of a good cup of coffee. Whether you drink coffee in the to be a human in your morning class, or you drink it to keep you up all night to write a paper, there really isn’t a time during the day that a nice little shot of caffeine can’t come in handy.
12. Change is inevitable.
This one is probably the most important lesson that I have learned my first semester. The start of college is the beginning of a new chapter in your life story, and with it comes change. You are going off to college, living in a new place, becoming more independent, and growing into an adult; you are bound to find yourself changing. You see people in a different light, and you react differently in situations. And the lesson that I learned is that change is okay. When I first noticed myself changing, I was scared because I thought I wasn't myself anymore. But when I realized that I was growing up and becoming more mature, I was able to embrace the way I changed and look at it positively.
Although I have learned a lot in my first semester inside the classroom, I think the most valuable lessons have come to me outside the four walls of a room. I am grateful for the people I have met, memories I have made, and lessons I have learned in this first semester; and I can't wait to do it all again in the spring!
