Photo By Eleanor Lampard
With less than four months until my 22nd birthday, I realized I am currently living what are supposed to be the best years of my life. I also realized that most of us are spending this time watching Netflix, blowing air out of our noses instead of properly laughing at memes and swiping left on Tinder. Which is okay, everyone needs to do nothing sometimes.
The issue lies in us never doing anything at all. Other than receiving an education, college is meant to be a time to create experiences you may otherwise not. In what other environment are you able to join clubs ranging from Classics Club to Community Gardening Club? A quick Google search guarantees something that will interest you.
For this reason you should consider picking up a hobby you may otherwise pass up, or you can finally do that thing you have always wanted to try. Programs such as UK’s Outdoor Pursuits offers students the opportunity to hike, rappel, rock climb and more with provided transportation, gear and trained guides.
Students can attend films (I viewed “Look and See” a couple months ago) typically for free. Optional discussion usually accompanies the film. Staying active on campus is a great way to find your interests.
The most important part of being in college is realizing that you should not slack just because your parents are not there to keep you on track. Stop staying up so late. Just do your homework and do not start it an hour before it is due.
Maybe you have always wanted to be physically fit. Maybe you want to learn how to be a great painter. Or maybe you want to train your dog to respond to Harry Potter spells. Whatever it is, do it. Create a friend group with similar goals to keep you motivated.
Listen up! Stop. Having. Regrets. Like everyone, I have done some absolutely stupid things that make me cringe even as I write this. However, I do not regret any of them. It took me years to actually like the person I am. Once I decided I liked who I am, all of the dumb mistakes I have made stopped mattering. I needed every single one of those mistakes to get me to where I am today. You are no different.
College is overwhelming. College is especially overwhelming when you are a freshman and people are bombarding you with lists of activities you could be doing. Even if you are an upperclassman, your friend groups and interests will shift.
I joined a sorority my freshman year, I did not like it and had to start over with who I wanted to be friends with and what I wanted to do while in college. I had to rewrite what kind of person I wanted to be.
I first came to the University of Kentucky as a civil engineering major, the same career path I had dreamed about since I was in eighth grade. I hated every one of my classes. I switched my major to geology. I also hated my classes for geology. It is not until now, as a first semester junior, that I finally found my niche as an english major. Long story short, never be afraid of change or starting over. I promise you will be happier in the end.
What I am trying to say is: be yourself. Be fully and wholeheartedly yourself and never apologize for it. Once you can do this, everything else falls into place.