Happy Father’s Day, collegiettes! As you all say thanks to that special man in your life (maybe by giving the lawn a quick mow or frying up some bacon for his breakfast in bed!), we hope you also take some time today to think about the important lessons your father has taught you. From showing us how to throw a ball and ride a bike (sorry for my athletic ineptitude, Dad) to the advice he gave that will stick with us for the rest of our lives (I promise, Dad, that I will never settle for anything less than what I deserve), our dads have helped to make us the people that we are today. And for that, we couldn’t be more grateful.
In honor of Father’s Day, the Her Campus team wants to take this opportunity to thank our dads for these wonderful lessons. Check them out below, and comment below to let us know what important lessons your dad has taught you!
The best lesson I learned from my dad is to be productive and the rest will fall into place. If you’re working hard toward a goal, even if you’re not necessarily making any money from a particular activity, it will still help you in the long run. Whenever something goes wrong with work, he just says, ‘Okay, now you have to do be productive.’ No pats on the back, no hugs, just honesty, no frills. And so I go and I do, and somehow things work out like he said they would. – Elyssa Goodman, Style Editor, Carnegie Melon
My dad tells me every morning to “make good choices.” When I was younger I just rolled my eyes but after leaving home to go off to school, I think about him saying that to me and I carry it with me with everything I do. – Sarah Simonetti, Campus Correspondent, Wake Forest University
Just because times are tough and things seem like they aren’t going your way, that doesn’t mean you should ever stop trying. Giving up means giving in, and no one ever achieved their dreams by losing faith. – Sonia Okolie, Contributing Writer, Georgetown University
The one way to guarantee you’re going to fail at something is to convince yourself you’re going to fail. – Gabbie Cirelli, Contributing Writer, UNC Chapel Hill
My dad has always been the kind of person to help anyone in need—even a random stranger near a gas station on a road trip. He’s always taught me to never refuse help to someone that you have the ability to assist whether it’s family, friends, or strangers. He’s also taught me that it doesn’t hurt to learn how to unclog the toilet or fix the drain. – Ekta Partani, Campus Coorespondent, UCLA
Accept every invitation. My dad met my mom at a party that he originally didn’t want to go to. You never know what might happen! – Clara Beyer, Sales and Marketing Intern, Brown
Hard work is never overrated. My dad came from a small town and didn’t let that ever affect what he wanted to do with his life. He has the best work ethic of anyone I know, and he consistently proves to me the value of hard work! – Julia Kennedy, Campus Correspondent, University of Portland
My dad told me that no matter where you go in life, you’re going to meet mean people: at your job, in your social life, at school. The most important thing to do is just ignore them and let them motivate you to be better. – Rachel Crocetti, Campus Correspondent, Hofstra University
Always be yourself, no matter what. – Jasmin Maastricht, Campus Correspondent, University of the Sunshine Coast
I am in control of my own destiny. No matter what others may say or do, I know—from everything my father has taught me through his words and actions—that only I can decide how my life will be shaped. – Onastasia Youssef, Entertainment Writer and Blog Editor, Chatham University
He taught me that you have to have some humor to get through life, especially when it comes to being able to laugh at yourself! – Shira Kipnees, Campus Correspondent, Franklin and Marshall
Never let other people’s opinions bring you down. – Jillian Sandler, Contributing Writer, Northwestern University
The best lesson I learned from my dad was to always find a reason to smile — life is too short to be sad. This is something I’ll take with me everywhere I go. – Caroline Ortiz, Campus Correspondent, Arizona State University
Probably without even realizing it, my dad has taught me how to have a good balance between work and my personal life. I always hear how respected and ethical my dad is at work, yet he never fails to make his non-working hours tons of fun. Whether he’s taking the family out for sushi or hanging out with his friends at the pool, I learned from him that the key to success is working hard and always making time for fun. – Kelsey Mulvey, How She Got There Editor, Boston University
My dad taught me to not sweat the small stuff. He’s always there to remind me that the little bumps in the road will all be worth it some day, and the important things in life are your family, your health, your goals, and your happiness. – Chelsea Bast, Campus Correspondent, University of Connecticut
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