Being in college is an exciting, yet stressful time. Not only as a college student do you have to maintain your grades, but relationships, and other activities as well. Throughout life, my parents have taught me valuable life lessons that help me in everyday life in college. Life lessons that I never thought I would need, until I got to college

1. Be a leader, not a follower

Throughout college, you will experience uncomfortable situations, situations that you are unsure how to handle. Make sure to always lead a group, never follow the actions of others. You are responsible for your own actions, and you have the ability to control what you do.

2. Always give more than you take

Even though being a “broke college student” is a real struggle, giving back to others does not always require giving money to those who need it. This means giving a stranger on the street a smile to brighten their day a little, even if they don’t smile back

3. Be thankful for what you have

In college, you are away from home, away from your parents, away from your comfort zone. The snack cabinet is no longer 10 steps away, yet the dining hall is now across campus. Make sure to always count your blessings.

4. Patience is a virtue

Having patience for others should always be a quality that you obtain, not only in college, but especially in college. Everyone goes by the beat of their own drum, and not everybody rushes into things, so be patient.

5. Follow your heart

Do what you love, and love what you do. If you follow your heart, your instinct, then you will enjoy your life so much more than before.

6. Don’t judge a book by its cover

Whether the person be a fellow peer, or a stranger on the street, never judge them. They are who they are, their own individual, unique self. Do not judge the boy, or the girl with purple hair, they are unique, and deserve to be treated like everyone else.

7. Stay positive even when skies are gray

No matter what is going wrong, it will always get better. If you slip on the ice in front of everyone, laugh it off. If you drop your coffee, get a new one. Never make one bad moment of the day define the quality of your whole day.

8. Your grades do not define you

Self-explanatory. If you try our ultimate best, you should not stress over bad grades. If you are getting bad grades, do everything in your power to raise them, get tutors, seek help through your professor and peers, and most importantly believe in yourself.

9. Always stay humble and kind

Be yourself, and make sure to always “kill them with kindness." Being kind to others can go a long way, and if you are kind to others, they will return the deed.

10. Hope for a brighter tomorrow

No matter how bad your day might have been, under all circumstances go to bed, and wake up more positive, and happy. Make sure to always make your own kind of sunshine in your life, if it is not handed to you.