Freshman year of college undoubtedly brings about many important lessons that we’ll carry on with us for the rest of our lives, and as this academic year comes to a close, several of Point Park’s freshmen were asked what the most valuable lessons they learned this year were. Here’s what they had to say:
“First and foremost, you shouldn’t be afraid to talk about the things you like to do and the things you’re trying to do while you’re here. If you don’t promote yourself, who will? I also learned that you can’t be friends with everyone. No matter how nice you can be to everyone, that doesn’t mean everyone will be nice back. That’s just something you have to brush off your shoulder. I really learned that it pays to get involved. Change the stupid things you don’t like about your life at Point Park and be that change our school needs.” -Stone S., Broadcast Journalism major
“It’s okay to be selfish. As a college student, it’s important to know what is going to work for you, whether that means spending all your time studying and working on projects, or going out and being wild to forget the stress of it all. You can’t worry about what everyone else is up to all the time or how to appease them. If you don’t want to deal with someone, don’t. If you want to kiss a boy at a party, do it. Now is the time where it is 100% okay to put yourself first.” -Anonymous
“Be yourself, let the friends come to you, and when in doubt- music and tea are the best remedies.” -Paul F., Broadcast Reporting major
“Everything gets better, it really does. The professors care about you; it’s not like high school where some of them hate being in the classroom as much as you do. You’re not just a face in the crowd especially at this amazing university. In my opinion, Point Park is one of the most culturally and socially acceptable schools ever. Whether it’s your gender that makes you stand out, your sexuality, or your race, you’re not just a face in the crowd here. Even if it may seem hard in the first semester or the last semester of your freshman year because you feel like you have “senioritis” (but you’re only a freshman) everything gets better. The last lesson I’ve learned is, never walk up seventeen flights of stairs in Lawrence Hall because the elevator is crowded just to surprise your friend because she will most likely not be on campus that day and you’ll have to walk all the way back down. Yeah, I’m talking to you Mel!” -Courtney A., undeclared major
“HIDE YOUR WEED!” -Anonymous
“Not everyone is going to like you, and they have every right not to. There doesn’t have to be a good reason; the fact is that no one is obligated to like you. You don’t get to decide that. What you do get to decide is who you spend your time with and what kind of person you want to be. And if who you choose to be isn’t who they want you to be, then you don’t have to waste your time with them. Everyone deserves to be around people who make them feel good about being themselves.” -Samantha D., Photojournalism major
“I need to stop expecting things to work out. When I went away for spring break, I grew. I turned into someone who was stronger, happier, and more confident. I learned that I need to stop living for anyone other than myself. So as I leave for my sophomore year at another school, I’m different. I don’t put up with anything from anyone. And I guess the last thing is for everyone: stand up for what you believe in and don’t let others rule you.” -Dora M., Criminal Justice major
“You have to keep on top of things, even if you don’t think you can go any further. There are always bumps in the road and never-ending obstacles in your social life that will hit you very unexpectedly, but that’s life. The best way to handle it is to not think too deeply about the problems that arise and you have to remember why you’re here. When academics become too much for you to handle, you have to take everything step-by-step. It’s like dinner plate; you know you have to eat it all, but you have to remember to eat it in portions. You can’t just gulf it down…because then you’ll be bloated.” -Ryan M., Cinema Production major