As I've sat through countless lectures during this first semester, I've learned a lot about the geography of the world, how some of the weather works, and a little bit of calculus. I've learned a good amount inside of the classrooms because I'm here for an education, after all. However, I've probably learned just as much, if not more, outside of the classroom. A lot of these things I've learned outside of class is what many would refer to as lessons about "adulting" - here are just a few of those lessons.
1. Set MULTIPLE alarms for your morning classes.
9:30 a.m. may not sound that early to some, but after staying up until 3:00 a.m. working on that paper you waited until the last minute to perfect, 9:30 is only six and a half hours away. And by the time you've gotten ready for bed and added in the time it will take you to roll out of bed and throw on some clothes for class when you wake up, you're down to about four or five hours of sleep. So, I've found it absolutely necessary to set at least three alarms in the morning to avoid sleeping through an important lecture...or even a test.
2. Plan ahead...well, not too much.
Planning ahead for classes and exams is important. For example, the night before a test, you should make sure you have a pencil ready to go so you're not stuck asking around for one just seconds before the exam starts. Planning ahead for assignments due in all of your different classes could save you from a freak out when you realize that you got the due dates for different classes mixed up. Planning and organization are key, but not in every aspect of your life, especially social. Don't try and plan every little thing you will do with all of your friends. Just go with the flow of what is going on around you; it will save you a lot of stress and time from trying to get the whole group to agree on a time, place and activity.
3. Sometimes, sleep is 100% more important.
The moment you look at your phone and realize it's 4:00 a.m. and you're still up studying for the exam you have later in the morning is the moment you may freak out. Staying up and studying may help you get a better grade, but only to a certain extent. If you stay up all night cramming, you're most likely going to forget most of the stuff you were looking over when your body was used to being asleep.
4. The dining hall does in fact get old.
This room full of endless food, and all types of food. It may have been amazing the first few weeks of school, but now it's almost nauseating at the first smell. Those gooey grilled cheeses from the first week are now made with the end-slices of the loaf, and the pasta bar has had the same ingredients on it for the past four months.
5. You will find "your people."
Coming into an all-new place with tens of thousands of new faces is terrifying. Making new friends can be hard for some people, but it will happen. It's important not to pretend to be someone you aren't, or do things you don't enjoy just to fit in with a particular group. There are SO many people in college and you are going to find the right group of friends for you. You will find people who build you up and make sure you enjoy the time spent together, so don't waste your time on people who don't make you love your time at college.
6. Grocery shopping is not fun anymore.
All through childhood, parents did the grocery shopping for us. But now, it's our turn to go out and buy the things we think are healthy or tasty, and it isn't cheap or fun.
7. You won't get along with everyone, and that's okay.
No, not everyone is going to like you. Not even if you're the sweetest, most fun person in the world. Some people just don't click well together, and that's okay. Just move on and forget about it, because there are plenty of other people who like you for you.
8. Yikes... you really do need to read the textbook.
Yeah...that $200 textbook that you haven't touched since late August? There will be some questions from the reading assignments you never did on that upcoming exam.
9. You will get sick, all the time.
It doesn't matter if you "never get sick." You are now around 30,000 other people and all of their germs. Just keep some NyQuil in your room for your own sake.
10. You will have responsibilities...lots of them.
No one is here to hold your hand and walk you through things anymore. Your teachers won't do you favors or extend your due dates for you because you're overloaded. You're here to get an education, and it is your responsibility to work towards it. You will spend hours in the library trying to get assignments done. You will have to miss out on parties or hanging out with friends to study. You will have to make hard "adult" decisions, but it is all a part of it, and all the hard work will be worth it in the long-run.
