As I wrap up my final semesters at Michigan State University, I have done a lot of reflecting on lessons I have learned and will take with me as I continue to grow throughout my 20s. Here are four of my biggest takeaways about what I have learned as a senior in college.
Cherish your friendships
The biggest thing I have learned is the importance of friendships. I have met some of my best friends here at Michigan State, and I think it is so important to continue these friendships even after we all graduate. My friends, specifically Charlotte and Carrie, have helped me learn so much about myself as a person and also what I value in my friendships. Being in college in my 20s has brought many challenges, and the friends that I have made here have stuck by my side through it all. My favorite memories have been with them, and I am truly grateful for all the advice and wisdom they have granted me throughout our time together.
Take your classes seriously
This lesson was a big challenge for me my first couple years of college. I never attended class my freshman year, and sophomore year I had some setbacks that really affected my grades. Attending classes is so important because not only are you paying for them, but you learn crucial things that you need to take with you in your future career. Skipping classes might not seem like a big deal, but I got into the bad habit of skipping way more often than I should have. I am thankful for learning about the importance of taking my education seriously, and I have learned so many valuable lessons while attending classes these past four years.
Relationships aren’t everything
I struggled with this idea for almost all of my college career. I was so wrapped up in the fact that I could meet different people, that I forgot the main reason why I was even in college in the first place. While it is fun and exciting to date different people and explore, it was so important to me to stay focused on my studies and see the end goal of graduation. College is a time to make new friends and explore romantic relationships, but it shouldn’t get in the way of what’s really important. For me, I had to learn to have a healthy balance of work and personal life, and I am happy to have that experience to take with me.
Make every moment count
This sounds cliche, but I believe that making every moment count is so important. It is so exciting to go out with new friends and try new things. These past four years have flown by for me, and I feel like I should have taken more opportunities to do things that were exciting and fun. I am only young once, and college is a great opportunity to explore new interests and do things that I haven’t done before. I can look back at these times and say with confidence that I had the time of my life and have no regrets.
There are many more lessons that I have learned that I could write forever about, but I feel like these are the core things that have really shaped me as a person and changed my perspective on life and relationships. While I will miss these moments for the rest of my life, I am so excited to see what the future has in store for me.