The first semester of my sophomore year is coming to an end, and after having now been through a year and a half of college, my views on the world have changed tremendously. I will not be finishing my degree at my current university because I have decided that my current path is no longer the right one, and with this most likely being the last Her Campus article I will publish for CNU, I wanted to take some time to reflect. Going into college I had so many questions that no one was able to answer for me, but now that I’ve answered them for myself, I want to share those answers, because I don’t think college is hardly ever portrayed correctly at all.
The Workload Isn’t Impossible
Yes, college is a lot more work than high school, in many aspects, but it’s not true when they say you’ll be spending hours on end reading textbooks and writing papers if you expect not to fail out. Think about your transition from middle to high school, or even elementary to middle; the workload was heightened and the expectations were higher because you were beginning a new and more advanced chapter of your life. College is the same way; you are expected to work harder and put in more effort, but only you can decide how much time you need to put into your schoolwork in order to succeed.
It’s Okay to Try New Things
College is an experience that’s truly like no other. You’re living away from home (most likely), and you’re an adult with free reign to make your own decisions. I remember coming to school and saying it pretty much felt like sleep-away camp with homework. Don’t let the risks of doing something fun stop you from enjoying a rare experience. Let loose and go to a party, a concert, a club, or whatever you believe is going to help you unwind. Yes, money is a thing that, generally speaking, us college kids don’t have a lot of, but we’re much too young to be worrying about it as much as we do. That’s not to say you shouldn’t ever save or spend your money on practical things, because it’s never to early to start practicing good financial habits, but there’s also nothing wrong with splurging once and a while. There are hundreds of ways to earn and save more money; focus on the experiences and you can figure everything else out along the way.
It’s Also Okay to Stay in Your Comfort Zone
Let’s be real. While college is a place of education and making friends, it’s also a place with a lot of opportunities for some pretty risquè behavior. There is plenty of alcohol, vaping, smoking and other much more extreme substances at your disposal. While I won’t sit here and encourage anything of that nature, I will also say that as long as you’re comfortable partaking in it, and you’re doing it safely, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with experimenting a little bit. With all of that being said, however, if drinking, smoking, and highs aren’t your thing, then simply say no. Every party or kickback needs sitters and designated drivers.
Let’s Talk About Sex
Ok, truth time — sex. It’s great, as long as it’s safe and consensual, but there is definitely way too much controversy around it. There is nothing wrong if you want to get to college and go crazy. If you want to sleep with five people a week, by all means, have at it! Like I said, as long as it’s safe and consensual, you can do what you want with your body. However, if you want to tie yourself down to one person and commit, that’s also perfectly fine! And just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you have to have sex at all. I know plenty of people my age who have never even come close to doing the deed, and they’re perfectly happy, healthy people. This is also a great time to experiment in other aspects. Sleep with girls, guys, people all over the gender spectrum if you so desire, and as long as you’re happy doing so, then as clichè as it sounds, it shouldn’t matter what people think about it.
It’s Okay to Change Your Mind
My current roommate came in as a Physics major, and is now double majoring in History and Computer Science. My roommate from last year came in as an English major and is now majoring in Psychology. I came here intending to major in Theatre and stay a fifth year to graduate with my MAT. Now I’m moving to Los Angeles to go to film school. My point is, the vast majority of people don’t know what they want right out of high school, even if they think they do. Things change, and college constantly opens up your mind to new experiences and ideas. If you have to take more than four years, do it. If you have to take some time off, do it! College isn’t going anywhere, and you have as much time as you need to get yourself on the path that’s right for you. You can always talk to your advisors, career counselors, or even your friends and family.
At the end of the day, only you know what’s best for you, in all aspects. Listen to yourself before you listen to anyone else, and you’ll be just fine.