As graduation quickly approaches, I have decided to write my final HerCampus article on a few tidbits of advice from a senior (me) about to enter the real world. Williams College can be really intimidating and there is always a ton of pressure, but I’m here to tell you it will all work out. Below are my best pieces of advice. Although it is not an exhaustive list, I hope I can offer some guidance to whoever may need or want it. Ultimately, you make your own path at Williams, but I hope these ideas can help you do so!
- No assignment or grade is worth sacrificing your mental health for.
As someone who puts a lot of pressure on myself to complete everything on time, I am telling you that it is not always worth it. Prioritize yourself! You’ll find that you’re a lot happier, trust me.
- Work hard AND play hard.
Academics are super important, but so is spending time with your friends and having fun. Make sure to maintain a balance throughout your four years.
- Join extracurricular activities; get an on campus job, etc.
Joining HerCampus and finding work on campus has greatly impacted my college experience. I have met a ton of cool, new people that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. It is really valuable to add some activities to your repertoire outside of classes.
- It is OK to change your mind / not know what you want to do in the future.
Williams puts a ton of pressure on students to make big, life-altering decisions. I had no idea what I wanted to major in when I arrived here. I took a few classes and ended up loving Economics. The same thing happened with my job search. My best advice would be to take things one day at a time and put yourself in the position to experience a bunch of different options before stressing about making a final decision.
- Even though Williams can be a tough place sometimes, enjoy the little moments.
As my time as a Williams student dwindles down, I have begun to reflect on my favorite memories. Although being a student here is challenging, there are so many things about Williams that make it really special. Enjoy the fall when the leaves start to change colors, and especially savor Mountain Day; there is nothing else quite like it. Appreciate every meal with your friends where your face hurts from smiling and laughing so much. Revel in the spring when the weather starts to get nice and you can sit outside to do work.
There are a lot of awesome things about Williams, so make the most of your experience here. Work hard, have fun, and enjoy each and every moment.