College, for many people, is an exciting, new and eye opening experience. Being away from home has provided me a bit of a perspective about myself and the world around me. Even if you didn’t move away from home and you commute, I think these are general things we start to learn as we begin our journey to independence and adulthood.

1. Making mistakes, everyone does it.

As children, we think that adults have it all together, and as we get older we realize the truth that everyone makes mistakes. It is okay to make them, but it is how we deal with the mistakes that we make that determines what kind of person we are!

2. Yes, I do need help.

I have been fairly independent most of my life and as I have been in college I realized that asking for help is something I definitely need from time to time. Whether it is homework or asking my parents for a couple more dollars a month sometimes we just need it.

3. Day 1 friends are really important. Cherish them.

Those who I have kept around from high school hold such a high value in my heart because they have known me and have stuck by me just as much since I have moved away, as they did when I was only 10 minutes away and we went to school together every day. Distance is the test of true love and friendship.

4. Making new friends isn’t as hard as I thought.

The new friends I have made are people that I get to live with all year and they are my home away from home. I choose to spend time with people who are also willing to put in effort into our friendship and that has worked out the best in my favor. Making friends that are practically family to me now means more to me than anything else.

5. Failing is not the end of the world…

Failing does not mean that your life is over...

6. Life is way too short.

Life is too short to be worried about what we do not have, appreciate what we do have. Life is too short to be worried merely on grades, but life is worth living and making the most of it.

7. My parents do so much for me.

My parents have done so much to help me reach my dreams and it hasn’t stopped in college. I appreciate them more since I am not home all the time and I get a bigger picture of what they do and the lessons that they have instilled in me and I use in the real world.

8. Learning is way more than you learn in a classroom.

Books are pricey, yes I know, but everything I want to know or learn is not always in that book or in the classroom. Going to college in New York City especially has exposed me to new opportunities to express myself and explore the world around me. Take a look beyond what the school tells you. Research for yourself and educate yourself! It’s has put more meaning into what I choose to learn.

9. Everyone’s soul searching

College is a great time for everyone to really try to figure out who they are. It’s a place where everyone is looking for themselves and trying to figure out what kind of person they want to be and feeling free to live that way. College is the time for experimenting, exploring and gaining independence.