With this being my last semester as an undergrad, the list of things I’ve learned about life, myself, and the world around me is endless. Had I known some of these things as a freshman, college might not have been as hard as it was and I would have gotten so much more out of my college experience!
1. Stop trying so hard to be like everyone else
When I started college, I found it so hard to figure out who I was. I so badly wanted to be like the sorority girls and the girly girls but I also loved the more alternative look. Because of this, I’ve definitely gone through phases where I’m more girly and phases of where I want to be the moody art girl. College is hard. It’s really hard. And it’s harder when you can’t feel comfortable in your own skin. I wish I could go back and tell myself to wear that dress you like with your Vans, no one cares! Had I just done what I liked and dressed how I was comfortable early on, I might have saved myself some frustration.
2. GO TO YOUR CLASSES
I get it, mom isn’t around to get you up and go to school every day. And you’re a liar if you don’t enjoy sleeping in until 9 or 10 in the morning. But getting up and going to class, even if it’s boring, makes all the difference. Not only will you be completely caught up on what’s going on in class, but your professors DO pay attention to who has come to classes. This pays off in the long run if you’re having an issue with work or need a recommendation from professors. You help them by showing up and doing the work, they’ll help you succeed. Had I told myself this as a freshman, I would have saved myself some embarrassment from being called out by professors or them asking if I’m even in their class.
3. Get involved in things you like on campus
This is the one I could really kick myself for. Though this is my 5th semester with Her Campus Millersville, I do wish I had started earlier and had tried more things in college. I wish I had done a sorority rush when I was a freshman or sophomore, I wish I had tried some more clubs that seemed interesting to me, and I wish I put myself out there more. I’m over the moon happy that I’ve found where I fit within Her Campus Millersville but I do wish I had pushed myself to try more things. It would have made the transition into college easier and I would have formed so many more lasting friendships.
4. Say “hello!”
Along with putting myself out there more, I wish I had said hello to and met more people. I am painfully shy, and it was even worse when I was a freshman. But knowing all I know now, sometimes just saying hello to someone who looks friendly in a class can greatly change your outlook on your semester and even your life. There are so many people who I wish I had just taken the second to say hello to and tried to start up a conversation with because I could tell we had similar interests and could be friends. Being a freshman and sophomore in college with little to no friends is extremely lonely and it made adjusting harder for me when I transferred to Millersville.
5. Take a deep breath and relax
College is hard enough without me putting myself down over a test or because I procrastinated on a paper. Once I found a schedule that worked for me, it was easier to just relax and do what I could. I wish I had known that overloading myself with work because I had unrealistic expectations was just going to make me procrastinate harder. Sometimes you just need to step away from your work, take a deep breath, relax for a little, and come back with fresh eyes and a new approach. It makes all the difference when struggling with a research project or a difficult math assignment.
While I can’t turn back the clock and redo college (although I do wish for that more than once a week), I can give some of you tips on how to successfully make it through college and make it easier to find yourself. I’m not saying I’ve completely figured out life and who I am, but I definitely have found what I like, where I fit, and know that I can accomplish almost everything I set out to do!
*All images courtsey of Pinterest