What I Wish I Had Known Before College…

College is, quite literally, a time of learning. Every day I struggle to figure out what direction I’m headed in life, but I’ve learned plenty already in my time at CNU.

Like…

You will have your heart broken in some way, shape, or form.

And you will have it put back together by some of the best friends you’ll ever know.

Some days, dropping everything to go to the beach or to be with a loved one will mean more than the classes you missed. 

You will learn a lot in the classroom. You’ll learn even more outside of it.

Don’t wait two months to do your laundry.

Make things happen. If you’re unsatisfied with something, figure out a way to fix it or change your way of thinking. 

Help is always there. You just have to ask for it. We’re basically at Hogwarts here, people. 

The Freshman 15 may scare you. But sometimes you have to treat yourself to that milkshake.

Some days all you’ll want to do is give up and go back to bed. Realize you need to get up and get going. You have a limited time in college, and wasting it away isn’t how you’ll want to remember it.

Get involved. And soon. And don’t waste your time doing something you’re not passionate about.

For the love of all that is good, DON’T lose your ID. 

Open yourself up to other people, even if it means ultimately getting hurt. Learning to trust another human being will lead to some of the best things you’ll ever experience.

You may lose yourself. But you’ll find who you were meant to be all along.

Clean your room. There are too many things in this world that create stress. Your safe place where you live and sleep should not be one.

You’ll learn that some of the best friends you make are people who have interests that are completely different from yours. This will only make you a deeper and more thoughtful person.

Don’t forget about your roots.

But realize there is so much more to life than what your hometown holds.

The people you enter college with might not be the same people you leave with.

You might be broke, but if you go out to eat, tip your waiter/waitress. It’s only right. 

A 3.9 is awesome. But your mental health and sanity come first.

Make plans for fall break. Or spring break. Or summer. Sitting at home all day won’t be quite as fulfilling as an adventure with wonderful people to Disney, or a road trip to Canada, or an internship in a field of importance to you.

Call your mom. And your dad. 

“Don’t waste your life on modest dreams.” – President Paul Trible

• college
• experience
• learning