This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter.
1. Your Friendships
Maybe you’ve been friends with the same group of people since your freshman year or you’ve just recently become close with someone – regardless of the length of time, it’s essential to keep these people by your side. Did you just go through a terrible break-up? Fail your midterm? Mom is only a phone call away, but nothing beats an actual shoulder to cry on (or someone to bake and watch cheesy rom-coms with). It’s important to have a strong support system that’ll always be there to cheer you on when you need it or pick you up when you’re down. Maybe even reconnect with someone you haven’t really seen in a couple of semesters – chances are they’ve been waiting to hear from you as much as you’ve wanted to hear from them. Keep your friends close to you and never pass up the opportunity to tell them how grateful you are to have them in your life – they’re the ones who have a massive part in making your college experience the best it can be.
2. People In Power
Repeat this mantra everyday: Network. Network. Network. This can include anyone from your professors to your boss at your internship. Take the opportunity to build connections while you’re a college student – you have all the resources necessary right at your fingertips, and networking is the perfect way to get your name out there. Your professors are there not only to teach but to also be there for you if you ever have any questions or concerns about their class in general (they don’t do office hours for their health). You can even ask about helping out with a certain project that will not only give you more experience but will also have your professor look at you in a whole new light (think about an awesome letter of recommendation here). Talk to the person who gave you the opportunity to expand your experience at your new internship: ask questions, work hard and always put the effort in. These people, after forming a professional relationship with them, will be there for you when you need it because they know you worked hard enough to deserve that new job opening you’re hoping to snag. If there’s anything important to learn going into the real world, it’s not what you know – but who you know.
3. Yourself
Before you throw the cliché card, building a relationship with yourself is honestly one of the most important things you can do, especially while in college. Maybe you’re going through your third major change or going through a period where all you want to do is chop your hair off and dye it purple, but that’s okay. Over everything else, college is the best learning experience you will ever have. One of the most valuable things I’ve learned as a college student is to love who you are. Make yourself the best person you can be – eat healthy, exercise, pick up a new hobby, do whatmakes you happy. As far as romantic relationships go, believe me – being single isn’t the end all to your life: you won’t be Forever Alone, and you won’t end up being a crazy cat lady just because you don’t have a boyfriend. If you’re not in a relationship, take the opportunity to be alone. It’ll give you the special chance to learn about who you truly are. Besides, the moment you fully start to love all of those qualities that make you the amazing person you really are, someone special will definitely notice (and appreciate) them. It’s exactly what we all deserve, anyway. Loving yourself makes you more empathetic, caring, and will affect all of the relationships I mentioned earlier (plus more) in the best ways possible. A little confidence and self-love goes a long way.. Lucille Ball puts it best: “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
