5 Things I Wish I Knew Freshman Year

1. Friends Come & Go

It can be easy to get wrapped up in the idea that the earliest friends in college will be along for the entire ride or that you HAVE to be friends with someone for all four years. Whether it be entire friend groups, that one person from orientation, or a new friend from class. However, the ever changing class schedule and overall proximity to so many peers will continue to change friend dynamics quicker than you’d expect. 

College taught me it’s okay to no longer be friends, it’s okay to drift apart, it’s okay if you don’t talk as much as you used to. Some people are not meant to be in your life as long as you expect them to. The beauty of friendship is that there will always be a new face and a familiar one. As long as you are fulfilled and respected by the people in your circle, that’s what matters most. 

As your connections are ever changing, you will also learn when you’ve outgrown a friendship or relationship with someone. There’s nothing wrong with that. As my friend dynamics changed, I learned to appreciate past friendships that were no longer present in my life. These changing dynamics taught me to appreciate moments with others, even if we’ve grown apart.

2. college is not a competition

I started college in 2023, right as AI began making waves into the education space. At the time, it was unprecedented and many universities didn’t know what to do with AI. They didn’t have regulations or standards in the classroom, but as my time in college progressed, so did these regulations. I mention this because I believe that AI drastically changed the job market in a multitude of ways (which is a conversation for another article). The introduction of AI to the general public from a job market perspective has had a tremendous impact on myself and other college students across the country. 

As I began to apply to internships, create a Linkedin profile, and professional portfolio, oftentimes I found myself subconsciously comparing myself to my peers. It can be difficult scrolling on Linkedin several times a week and seeing those around you get those “big” internships or being paid for their work while you still submit the “for credit” paperwork for yet another internship. 

What I needed to hear in those moments of comparison was “take a step back”. Everyone comes from different backgrounds, possesses different skills, experiences, and approaches to the job market. You are meant to enjoy your own professional journey and it’s not supposed to compare to anyone else’s. You will find yourself exactly where you are meant to be.

3. Your goals will manifest in unexpected ways

College is extremely stressful, you’ll be managing a lot on your plate, and you’ll feel a lot of pressure internally to succeed. It can be easy to obsess over the outcome of a project, grade, or goal you’ve set for yourself. However, many challenges I experienced in college showed me that sometimes what I want the most shows up unexpectedly.

In my own personal experience, I felt this most when I was applying to internships. My sophomore year I applied relentlessly for six months for communication summer internships and I was unsuccessful. The next summer, I applied relentlessly again, but this time only to paid opportunities because I had gained more professional experience in other avenues and felt I possessed the skills and knowledge that I deserved to be paid. Again, I was unsuccessful with getting a paid internship. However, I took a step back and looked at the facts. I realized what I needed more than money was experience and I made sure to take advantage of networking opportunities at my college. After that, I was able to successfully secure a summer internship. If you had asked me sophomore year I would’ve thought I achieved that through 100+ applications, not a professional connection. The road to success is not perfect and it’s not always what you imagine it to be, but it’s there, waiting for you. 

4. EXPERIENCE > MONEY

College experiences are invaluable and sometimes it’s worth more than material gain. However, I learned this on a personal level, not a professional one. You will never get these years back, it’s okay to relax and prioritize that night out or the trip that finally made it out of the group chat. When you graduate, everyone will go their separate ways so it’s important to savor the experience in the moment, before it’s too late. 

5. You Can’t Do it All

The hardest lesson I have learned in college thus far is that I can’t do it all. At the end of the day, you’re only human, and while you may want to say yes to everything, sometimes that’s not possible, and that’s okay. What matters most above grades or finances is your mental and physical wellbeing, it’s okay to say no so you can balance everything. 

• college
• friend
• mental health