College is scary, especially if you're attending a college that is far away from home. It's a new place, with new people, and new experiences. And, for most of us, college is our first real experience being on our and being considered an "adult."
During those four years (sometimes, longer, which is okay. Not everyone finishes undergrad in four years. in fact, more and more people are taking longer), you'll do a lot of growing up. You're going to experience things that make your head spin and things that are going to make you feel like your heart has been ripped out of your chest. After all, they don't call them growing pains for nothing. But, you're also going to experience things that make you realize just how amazing life can be.
There are so many things that I wish people had told me before I started college. There are so many things that I wish people would have warned me about. In order to help someone else out, I decided to jot down just a few things I wish other people would have told me about college.
1. Your college years might not be the best 4 years of your life, and that's okay.
I don't know where this ridiculous idea of "college will be the best 4 years of your life" came from, and I sure as hell have no idea why anyone would say that. Is it because it's the last few years we have of doing crazy things before we enter the real world? Regardless of where it originated from, it's not always true. To be frank, if college is the best 4 years of your life, you must live a sad life. In the grand scheme of your whole life, 4 years is such a finite amount of time. You have so many more years to explore the world, meet new people, learn new things, have fun, be successful, etc. Those things should not be restricted to just your college years.
2. No grade, no class, and no person is ever worth sacrificing your mental health.
College can be draining, especially if you are someone who already struggles with your mental health. I know how easy it can be to stress yourself out about grades or attending class. There is a lot riding on your grades - scholarships, your acceptance into other programs, money, etc. But you cannot let those things take priority over your mental health. At the end of the day, you only have one body and one mind...you have to treat those things with kindness.
3. You don't have to be a hardcore partier in order to enjoy college.
If you don't like to drink or party, that's okay. If you love to go to parties and socialize, that's okay, too. There seems to be this preconceived notion that if you go to college, you have to love getting drunk and going to class hungover. If you don't do those things, your college experience is apparently going to be "boring." Trust me, no matter what lifestyle you choose, you'll find yourself some fun.
4. Go home as often as you want, no matter what anyone else says.
Everyone needs a little home time every once in a while, some more than others. Don't let other people make you feel guilty for doing what is best for you.
5. Get. Involved.
This is a cliche, I know. Everyone tells you to get involved, from advisors to those pamphlets they had out at orientation. Listen to those pamphlets. Branch out and try something new. Who knows, you might just like it. Getting involved allows you to meet people that have similar interests as you and to explore things that you love. You really can't go wrong with things like that.
6. Follow your heart and don't doubt yourself.
Your college years can be confusing. All kinds of questions from "is this the right major for me?" or "is college really for me?" will plague your mind. These are completely normal. But when it comes to the answers to those questions...don't doubt your answers. This is the time to experiment and to make mistakes. Embrace that privilege.
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