Three months left. That’s the amount of time that I have until I finally close the chapter of my undergraduate journey. When I began my freshman year of college back in January 2021, it felt like it would take forever for me to reach the finish line. I would scroll through celebratory posts made by seniors when graduation time rolled around, wondering if that would ever be me. But here we are – about to graduate in the next few months.
As I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my time at college, there are so many things that people don’t tell you about, or upperclassmen may make negative comments about different aspects of the university life – making you wonder if it’s true. So, here is the truth about college.
studying is not everything
I still remember my first few semesters at NC State. I was at home 24/7, doing nothing but studying. Throughout the week, I would write down everything that the professor’s said during Zoom lectures, reading every sentence in the textbooks, and completing each homework assignment the day it was assigned. On the weekends, I was working at my part-time job. That was the problem – academics and work was consuming my life. I rarely attended any social gatherings (then, they were virtual due to COVID-19) or get-togethers, using the excuse that I had “so much to get done.” The reality was that all those uncompleted tasks I had left at the end of the day would have been there, whether I went out or stayed at home all day. Another reason why I spent so much time studying was because I was afraid of failure. I wanted nothing less than As, which I earned, but at what cost? I look back on this now and I’m filled with so much regret. In fact, I have put in much less work and still do pretty well in my classes, thanks to God.
please take time for yourself
Go out and do the things you love. College is all about school-life balance, don’t feel like you have to neglect your hobbies. One thing I wish I did was to incorporate time slots in my day where I could spend time doing the things I love – reading, watching Youtube videos, and spending time with friends. This will not only keep you sane, but you’ll have something to look forward to every single day. It will also help prevent burn out.
it is okay to have “do-nothing” days
Have you ever woken up and felt like skipping all your classes to just lie in bed all day to rest? Have you ever done it, but felt guilty after? There’s no reason to! College is tough and you deserve to take as many breaks as you need, even if it entails incorporating lazy days into your regime. Don’t let anyone make you feel less than for doing such. Also, know that you’re not alone when you do this. I’ve talked to my friends about this, and surprisingly, a large number of them do the same!
I hope these insights are helpful to you on your journey through college, no matter where you’re at. Whether you’re in high school, in your freshman year, in your senior year, or even in your post-graduate era, these tips can be applied to any stage of your life! If you have any questions, concerns, or just need an ear to talk to, I’m always available to chat!