My freshman year of college was… interesting, to say the least. I was wrong about a lot, right about a little, and learned a ton. Here are my top 10 lessons from freshman year of college.
1.Everybody else’s experiences don’t always apply to you
Before coming to college, many people gave me advice. For example, I was living with my best friend as my dorm mate, and everybody told me that we wouldn’t be friends by the end of the year and we would have huge fights. Life isn’t perfect between us all the time, but we have never been closer. We are going to be roommates next year, and I am just as excited to live with her as I was before we moved in! Some advice I was given just isn’t true, or didn’t apply to me. That’s okay!
2. Being in a sorority is actually fun
Coming into college, I was adamantly against being in a sorority. I had always heard that it was “paying for friends”. But I went through recruitment and ended up in a sorority I love, with people I am always excited to be around! Sorority life isn’t as exclusive as I thought it was, and our philanthropy is impactful on my future career as an educator. Changing your mind about things is normal and fun! If I hadn’t changed my mind, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
3. It’s okay for things to not last
It’s college, you’re young, and nothing is forever. It is okay for relationships to end, even if they meant a lot to you. Having fun and letting go is important, and part of that is understanding that some things may not go to plan.
4. Take pictures of EVERYTHING!
I cannot tell you how many times I think back to a memory and wish I had a picture of it. Even just drives through my college towns, or my favorite pieces at the art museum. I plan on making a freshman year scrapbook to capture all the beautiful moments.
5. Home is always there
This may not apply to everyone. You may not live close to your family, or maybe you don’t have a place to call home. This one is more personal than the others on this list. For the first quarter of the year, I was stubborn. I wanted to be strong and capable and not go home unless I absolutely needed to. When my grandma passed, I learned a valuable lesson. My family is only an hour and a half away. I have people there for me; I have my home there for me. Not going home isn’t stronger than recognizing that you need to be there. I learned that I always have a place to go, and that an hour and a half has never been shorter than when driving back.
6. Some educators should not be educators
There are certain professors that simply want you to fail. They are going to be the villain for a semester, and you’ll write a terrible review on Rate My Professors, you’ll complain to your advisor, and then the semester will be over and you’ll rarely ever think about them again. When they flash across your mind, you’ll just pray that they have quit.
7. Making new friends is a positive experience
This one sounds silly. It sounds obvious. But when I first came to college, I was pretty much sure that I would stay friends with the few friends I came to college with. Even before move in, me and my roommate met a wonderful girl across the hall from us. We have been practically inseparable ever since! I thought making new friends would damage other relationships, but I could not imagine my life without my new friend.
On the other hand…
8. You don’t have to lose all your friends from home
Every time I go back home, I hang out with a person I’ve been best friends with for years. The distance and changes in lives did not change how much we love each other at all, and neither did me making new friends. They’ll never get rid of me, even when I move away!
9. What you put into college is what you will get out of college
Join things! Start a club! Go greek! Do something, or everything! College has something for you, whether it is Student Government, an academic club, or even Her Campus. Seriously, the effort you put in is the effort you will get out. I am a senator in Student Government, a writer and editor for Her Campus, a sister in my sorority, and involved in a political organization on campus. I would be having much less fun if I took away any one of these things. So, go to the activity fair! Find something you love.
10. It goes quicker than you think it will
This sounds weird, given that I am only a freshman. But, my freshman year flew by. I went quicker than anybody told me it would, and EVERYBODY told me it would go fast. Take it all in, cherish it, and live life to the fullest. You get this experience one time, make the most of it while you have it!
Here’s to many more lessons in my sophomore year!