When I think back to my first year of college, I can recall the anxiousness of beginning a new journey. You know that nervous feeling you get in the pit of your stomach? The one that is caused by all of the thoughts about the future creeping into your mind. If you’re like me, you don’t really like that feeling; in fact, you try to avoid it by all cost. Heck, if you’re like me, you will use Google to search what to prepare yourself for whatever uncertain experience is about to come your way. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to go off to college, I feel that I have learned a great deal about myself and the world, and the things that are in this article are the things that I wished someone would have told me and prepared me for when dealing with college.

1. There will always be someone better than you.

That sounds harsh, but I wished someone would have told me to expect this. Now I am not saying that I put myself on a high horse and thought about myself as being the most intellectual person around, yet I did not think that I would struggle as much as I have in college. It also kind of hurt my feelings when I saw myself having problems and barely making a “B” in the class, while others had “A’s” without any problems at all. Through my college experience thus far, I have learned that no matter what number you were ranked in high school, or how talented you were at whatever you did, someone is always going to come by and out do you. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but let yourself be encouraged by these experiences.

2. Swallow your pride.

If you find yourself in a predicament (whether that be academically, financially, or even emotionally), do not be afraid to get the help that you need to get through it. College has helped me realize that we are all human, and sometimes we need the help of others. Somethings that we face are just too much for us to bare by ourselves, yet when we realize that we need help from an outside source we should not be afraid to take it. The consequence for not getting the help you may need will only get you into a situation that seems impossible to get out of. Don’t be afraid of how you will look by asking for the help that you need, you will be grateful for it one day.

3. Your major should make YOU happy.

I think this was one of the biggest lessons that I had to learn. Like most parents, my parents wanted me to a doctor or lawyer. You know, the occupations that make a decent living. To say the least, the first three majors that I declared were to please my parents and the expectations that they had for me. I also drew blanks every time I thought about my future career. It wasn’t until I discovered God’s calling and allowed Him to guide me to my career that I was truly happy. Although it wasn’t one of the choices that my parents had picked for me, the major I chose brought me so much joy and they could see the passion inside of me. Let your passion and happiness be a determining factor as to what your major is.

4. Appreciate your parents

I, for one took my parents for granted so many times. I never realized how much support they truly gave to me until I needed them the most. Your parents will be the one steady thing in college, and they will be there to guide you along the way. For the last few years I have sought their advice on so many things, because I know that without a doubt they have my best interest in mind. I also know that for the most part that everyone’s parents are the same way; do let them go unnoticed and unappreciated.

These are just a few things that I have learned over the two years that I have been in college, and I honestly wished someone would have told me these things before I started. Then again, that’s the funny thing about life, you learn as you go.