I’ve been in college for four years. I’ve changed my major four times and transferred from three different schools. Though this may not be the traditional (or seemingly sensible) way of going about ones college years, it was the best way for me. Ultimately, that’s what college is about, finding out who you are and gathering a general blueprint for your professional life based off that knowledge. I think that’s something I didn’t learn until much later in the experience that could have saved me a lot of heartache in the earlier days. I hope I can shed light on three different things I’ve learned from my college experience that might help some of you avoid bad situations and lean into good ones.
IF YOU’RE NOT MAKING MISTAKES YOU’RE NOT GROWING
I wish I could be shaking you and screaming this at your beautiful face right now. Mistakes are so important to the process of college! It’s important to make mistakes and then feel embarrassed, guilty or worried about. I learned those emotions are so intense for a reason, they’re here to make an impression on you and make you think things through. When you start to feel like you made a mistake or a bad decision, lean into that question and ask yourself a lot of questions about it and get to know yourself and your reactions more. This is the time for you to think of yourself, for yourself and with yourself (meaning WITHOUT the opinions of others sometimes). It’s going to be uncomfortable and unfamiliar and stupid and sometimes straight up stanky! Have you ever heard a CEO, music/acting legend, engineer, doctor or anyone high up in the game of being a badass say “Well, I went to school and it was easy and boom here I am.” No, you have not. It’s suppose to be hard! That’s what makes it easier to lean into it and see the beauty of the struggle after a while.
YOU NEED TO COPE SOMEHOW SIS
Yeah so, that first part is easier to say than do. You’re going to need some kind of release to this inevitable stress and that’s where people can find themselves in a ditch. It is all too easy to use alcohol and drugs as a release from stress, but really it doesn’t work long term as we all intellectually know. It is important to keep tabs on yourself about drug and drinking habits and know there are multiple ways to get clean if you find yourself in a position you are not comfortable with. So that aside, there are several other ways people cope with the stress of college. I find people are most successful when they have about 2-4 things they put an appropriate about of care and time into outside of college that make them feel appreciated in a community and productive and/or creative as a human. If you’re a part of Her Campus, you already have one down! I personally love the opportunity Her Campus has given me to bond with other women in college, be a part of a team and feel valued in the community. I also am a part of the improv group on campus, and that’s a way for me to express my creative and downright foolish side. Finding the different parts of you that need expression outside of your major is an important way to live whole heartedly.
HEALTH IS EVERYTHING
College is ramped with poor health choices. The Union doesn’t have many healthy food options, and it’s easier to eat junky, and working out feels like a joke when you’re as tired as you are. I FEEL YOU! Listen tho…. You’re worth the work! And by all means, eat the pizza, go to the party, take the nap! Being a healthy person is not about depriving yourself and it is CERTAINLY not about your size in anyway. It’s about being thoughtful of what your body wants and not letting your mind or emotions dictate how your body is treated. This can be different for everyone, the main key is too actively think of how your body is feeling and what it’s craving on a regular basis. You can do this through meditation, journaling or simply setting time aside in your day to be still and silent by yourself. You dont need to do a special diet or workout plan if its not enjoyable! Listening to your body will be all of the guidance you need when you get in tune with it.