I am ecstatic that I will be graduating from UNH in less than a month and although the 2020 class was deprived of all our senior experiences that we’ve been looking forward to from the moment we stepped foot on campus, graduation is a monumental achievement in our lives that still deserves to be celebrated. Personally, college has been no walk-in-the-park for me. I have been to 3 different colleges in 3 different states, been a part of various organizations, gained and lost a lot of friends, have had multiple jobs, and ended up having to move to a completely different apartment in my apartment building a week before spring break this year (which turned out to be a complete waste of time since we had to leave campus a week later lol). Needless to say, I have had quite the college journey and have learned a thing or two along the way. Here are a few pieces of advice I’d like to leave future college girls.
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Be patient. We all enter college uneasy, nervous, naive, and hopeful, looking for the answers to who we are, who we are supposed to be, what we want to do with our lives, and what we stand for. As 18-22 year-old young adults, those questions can seem daunting and unimaginable but it’s important to know that the answers to those questions can’t simply be answered in one sitting. The answers will develop, change and evolve for the rest of your life so for right now, choose to surround yourself with things that make you the happiest and things that will challenge you to be better.
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If you think there’s a chance that it could negatively impact your future, probably don’t do it. I’m not saying don’t go out and have fun with your friends or not to take chances or risks but be smart and think things through thoroughly. Anything that could leave you in a compromised position such as a rowdy night out that people took videos or pictures of and you’re in or a more risky photo that you would normally post anywhere on social media, is something you should re-think about doing. It’s a lot to think about and can seem like a lot of pressure during a time in your life when you’re supposed to be having fun and taking chances, but just be smart and know that everything you do now will follow you into your professional adult life.
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If it doesn’t make you happy, don’t do it. Nothing is worth the cost of your mental health. If I could re-do college, there’s a lot of things that I would do differently, including where I went to school. I’ve been to college in 3 different states and I am glad I chose to finish my degree at UNH, but if I could’ve gone all 4 years at one college, I would have just because 3 colleges was too much added stress in my life. Mental health was a big thing I struggled with during my 3 years at UNH. I didn’t know anyone when I moved here so I joined a lot of different campus organizations in order to make friends but a few of the organizations I chose to be in too hastily and they ended up costing me happiness and freedom of personal expression, which looking back now, are 2 things are that I shouldn’t have sacrificed. I encourage you to cast a wide network during your time in college and be a part of as many different friend groups you can and do thorough research on what an organization does and stands for and the people you would be surrounded by before joining. Nothing is worth doing or being a part of if it makes you sacrifice any part of your mental well-being.
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My last piece of advice I leave with you is dress however the heck you want. Seriously, now is the prime-time of your life to wear different styles that you never dared to or were never allowed to before, and I’m not just talking clothes either. Dye your hair, and then dye it again, wear those makeup looks you’ve been dying to try but always thought they were too bold to wear to class, and wear accessories you’ve never had an occasion to wear them to. Some people will silently judge you, the good ones will compliment you and if you’re lucky it just might spark a friendship (this has happened to me more than once throughout college), but honestly, most people are too wrapped up in their own lives to even notice, so just go for it. Express yourself however you want in college.