I know, you're probably thinking I've gone off the deep end here, "College is all academic!"
-insert wrong buzzer here-
I have found out that in my 3 plus years in college that even though I have learned a vast amount academically and I have grown so much as a teacher. I have learned even more just by putting myself out there and observing the world around me. So this is where I say, read on with an open mind as I show you 4 main points that I have learned as college student that are non-academic.
Point number one, a perfect GPA doesn't actually mean anything. Yes, you heard me correctly, yes I did say that. As an honors student I have obsessed over my GPA and earned my spot on the Dean's list since I've enrolled in college 3 years ago, and I have learned that while that may be fun to say and take pride in I not only didn't absorb certain things, but I also sacrificed my mental health too often with the thoughts, "Well my GPA will still be a good so, it'll be worth it," which is a boldfaced lie. One day I will be in my profession and no one will care what my GPA was, no one will care that I cried for weeks thinking I wouldn't be on dean's list, and that I stressed out so much that sleep was almost nonexistent. The only thing that will matter will be my ability to do my job, and the passion and effort I exhibit, not a number and whether or not a got an A or a B.
Point number two, toxic people still exist in college, and I want nothing to do with them. A majority of people still act like they're in high school in college, and even adults around me still do as well. Toxic people don't deserve your time or effort. It doesn't matter how old, you don't deserve it, especially when there are lovely human beings out there who will love you like family. You have to learn to let people go who don't deserve you.
Number three, I may be young, but I'm intelligent and I deserve respect. I'm not a child people- crazy I know. Have confidence in yourself enough to accept nothing less than that.You're a smart cookie and deserve to be treated as such.
Number four, my very brief but to the point, point. Facts go so much farther than name calling to make a point, enough said.
Lastly, be yourself, be authentic. Do it no matter how out there and weird you think you may be because there will be people out there who are just as weird as you, if not worse (in a good way of course.) These crazy people will find you and you will be so much happier when you find a group of people who accept you as you truly are. I know I am.
