I just finished my spring break of my freshman year in college and I have had a great amount of time to reflect on what this year has been like for me. It's been a crazy ride of laughter and tears, but overall it's been one of the best years of my life. If I can tell you one thing about your freshman year, I would say to you that college is only great if you make it great. Here's what I mean by that:
1. Make tons of friends.
Make friends with professors, the cafeteria people, the girl you sit next to in English 102, and the people on your hall. I know quality exceeds quantity, but if you don't find friends initially in college, you won't find the quality ones. You'll find friends you can exchange notes with when you miss a class and then you'll find friends you can ask to be in your wedding someday. The first few weeks are the perfect opportunity for this. Don't be afraid to talk to someone you've never seen in your life in the line for food or on the way to class.
Recommended for you
2. Love your major.
I cannot stress this enough. If you feel like your major isn't for you, even during the first semester, you shouldn't be doing it. If you're miserable and forcing passion into something you just aren't passionate about, change, change, change. I went into college laughing at the people who changed majors because I thought for sure I knew what I was going to do with my life. Turns out, I was forcing myself to be passionate about what I was doing and I was miserable because of it. I was in an absolutely incredible program and I have no doubt I would've come out of it ready for my career, but I couldn't keep faking it. I changed during my second semester and I have felt so much more at peace. It's better to be scared about changing for a few weeks than miserable the rest of your life.
3. Make the most of you and your roommate's relationship.
You and your roommate have a special relationship that no one else on campus has with you. Granted, I know there are situations that it will just never work out between two people, but if you and your roommate get along and become friends, make the most out of it. You might have just found your best friend. I know I found my best friend for life in my roommate and I have loved living with her in our tiny box-like dorm room.
4. Don't wait for your significant other to come searching for you.
I completely understand that when you come to college, it's a great opportunity to meet your potential husband or wife because there are so many new people. Take it from me, you will get nowhere if you just sit in a corner and wait for them to come to you. Don't avoid talking to guys or girls just because you're waiting for them to approach you. I felt like I would be single forever my first semester of college because I just didn't talk to any guys, but the first time I went out of my comfort zone and had a funny conversation with a few guys over a big group breakfast on a retreat, I got asked on a date afterward. People aren't going to know you if you don't make yourself known. I mean, don't look desperate, but definitely don't act like people are expected to come to you. Make friends with the opposite gender. You'll meet more people through them!
5. Get involved.
Yes, you may go to a club fair at the beginning of the semester and find out what kinds of events there are on campus for you, but what you do with that information is what matters. Clubs aren't going to come to you, you have to put forth the time and effort figuring out which ones are right for you. I tried out every single ministry on my campus first semester and narrowed it down to two and finally chose one I could pour myself into. It has been one of the best opportunities for meeting new people, fellowship, and doing what I love during my time at my college.
6. Work hard.
This isn't high school. Lazy people fail and hard workers make a 4.0. You NEED to find a spot where you can concentrate while writing papers and studying (yes, you will have to study a lot). For many people, especially myself, that is not a dorm room. My study space is a booth in the coffee shop in our library. Everyone is different. Just remember the effort you put into your major is what you will get out of it. You're supposed to be working hard at things you're passionate about anyways, so sometimes it won't feel like work. But when that isn't the case, you still need to work hard.
7. Do fun and adventurous things.
Yes, you're here for an education, but you really do need time to laugh and have fun. Go do the silly things your campus has to offer like a lip sync battle or an "Office" themed party. Go to the bonfire at the lake at 1 a.m. These are some of the best memories you'll make during your time in college. You can't make these memories from a dorm room. No matter how introverted you might be, find something fun you enjoy doing outside of your dorm room with other people like hiking or even going to Target super late.
College can be one of the most amazing times in your life, but it's seriously up to you what you make of it. These are just the things I've experienced in seven months, not even four years. There will definitely be rough patches along the way, but college is so fun! Make the most of it!
