When you enter college, you create a planned utopia or fears on how things may turn out for you. College is scary, but in the midst of it all, you’ll definitely get through it. I know this because I’m a 3rd-year student in college and still breathing haha!
My freshman year of college I went through many downfalls such as immediate family members passing away, I followed the wrong crowd drinking and going to off-campus parties. I started to skip classes because it was what everyone else was doing. I didn’t like who I was becoming so I gave myself a reality check by going to counseling. This was a reality check that nobody really cares about me and my future more than myself. Then I took it upon myself to be direct with my friends on what I want to do without feeling guilt-tripped. Some friends I lost connections with because I wasn’t always down to drink and go out. Some friends I gained because I interacted with driven and motivated people. Through counseling, I was able to speak freely and be able to build a strong connection with them. I wanted to at least have one person in my college career to really understand my life mentally and emotionally. I was so glad to have my counselor be the one to see my progression throughout my life. It was an open door of relief and I thought that was my healthiest choice entering my adult life. Sophomore year was a time for me to redeem myself and establish where I wanted to be academically and so I did. I connected with my professors and made sure that my scheduling was consistent for extra help with classes. It wasn’t easy accommodating my time but it was worth it because my grades started to get better and my time felt properly consumed.
Junior year made me close the door of my wrong decisions in the past. My relationships with my friends became concrete and healthy. They support my goals, dreams and we create real memories. Even when my friends and I don’t have the time to speak to another we always send motivational text messages to each other to get through our days. Inside, I’m glad I’m able to learn from my mistakes and turn them into stepping stones. Faith was my ultimate outlet for accomplishing my growth. I was able to rekindle my relationship with God, have Him as my shelter, my guardian, and my rock to lean on when my life feels out of control. When you feel like your life is spiraling out of control, you need to find your peace, create a plan, start from the beginning and move forward! I also learned on my own that it’s okay to reject some opportunities or activities you can’t handle or have time for. Sometimes you need to recuperate and really make time for yourself. All in all, college is about experiences and starting where YOU want to be in life.