On August 22, 2016 I started college at Tennessee Tech. Since then, I have learned and adapted. These are the five things I learned in the first week of college.

1) It never hurts to be friendly

Walking into that first class of college can be nerve-wracking, but it is also nerve-wracking for everyone else in the room. Just say hello and tell them your name. The rest will come natural.

2) Work ahead

I promise that working ahead will never hurt you. Go ahead and read that next chapter. If you don’t, you WILL get behind. So, just use some of the free time you have to work ahead. You have to work hard to play harder.

3) Be social as much as possible

Socializing can keep you sane throughout a hectic college life. If you don’t socialize, you probably won’t be happy. It helps to laugh and be social with your friends to get the stress of school off your mind.

4) Try to arrive to class early

Seriously, it helps to get there early instead of sprinting to class. Plus, you can socialize with the people around you and get to know them.

5) Have fun

You only live once and for most of us college is a one time thing. It may be one year, six years, or 28 years until you graduate with your desired degree, but regardless you still need to live it up. Enjoy every moment because it flies by

I am so happy that I have a chance to go to college and try to be the best version of myself. I have been blessed with some amazing opportunities so far and I cannot wait for the upcoming opportunities. I am also extremely blessed with a loving and supporting family and I cannot thank God enough for that. This is all for my future and for the future of my family. I cannot wait to see what else the future has to hold. So on that note, here is a toast to the future.