For some people, the first day of college is like the beginning of a new journey while others are scared of the fact that they have to become accustomed to a whole new and much bigger campus, a new curriculum and even a new friend group. Looking back, I can say that I was definitely in the middle of both of these groups. I used to ask my cousins and older friends about the many aspects of college. How do you get around? Are there a lot of different buildings that you have to run to? What happens if you miss a class? Are professors really as mean as people describe them to be? etc. HAHA! So many of these answers have really surprised me and over these years, I believe that college can be a wonderful experience if you surround yourself with caring and understanding friends and family, do all your tasks at hand as soon as possible, and overall, just enjoy the time that you're there for! As college is coming to an end for me, I am reflecting back to the times when many people have given me some very important advice and I want to share it with all of you!
Firstly, it's very important to be proactive with your work! Procrastination is really not as fun as people say it is! Think about it… would you really choose to cram all your homework and studying for the week in one night and then not get any sleep the night before a major exam? Or study parts everyday and then get at least a 6-hour sleep before the test? If you leave your work till the last minute, not going to lie, there are most likely going to be some type of problems that keep you from completing your assignment, like an internet connection problem or ink shortage in your printer. Therefore, its really necessary that you plan out your work week ahead of time to take care of any unforeseen future problems.
Next, you should learn to branch out more and enjoy every resource your campus has to offer. The thought about "expanding your horizons" could not be truer as you have many fun and exciting opportunities at your fingertips. The college gym, rec center, library, tutoring center, and game rooms are all there for your benefit and so you should take every advantage of them. This also a cool and easy way to make friends with people that share common interests with you and so you can enjoy doing these activities together!
Furthermore, remember to stay in touch with old friends! I know that we are moving onto a newer and more exciting part of our lives, but it is also important to talk and catch up with high school friends to help keep your bond alive. Reaching out to friends helps me recall the amazing memories, times and funny moments that we shared in our childhood and teen years. Talk to them when things get hard and I guarantee you, they will always know what to say or at least, help you feel better!
Most importantly, always try to grasp the fact that sometimes, there will definitely be some let downs in your college career. You have to learn to deal with these proactively and get up. These instances are preparing you for the future so you have to be mindful and understand that you will get through this and to the other side!
