With my final year of my undergrad career coming to a close, I find myself reflecting on the decisions I’ve made while in college, both good and bad. These are the things I wish I could tell my freshman self. But since time travel isn’t a thing, I will eagerly share them with my younger sisters, my protégé’s, and all of you lovely readers who still have time left to learn from my…unique choices. Some of my tips are general, others specific to me personally, but hopefully something useful will be gleaned from this listicle by someone at some point.
1. Don’t wear heels or loud jewelry when you’re running late to class.
Everyone will be awkwardly listening to you walk (run) down the hallway, just waiting to glare at you when you walk in, continuing the whole interrupting-everything thing you started when they heard your first click or jangle. Plus, who wears heels around here? Are you aware that this campus is built on the side of a mountain?
2. Don’t walk in late holding any type of recently bought food or beverage, especially Starbucks drinks.
It just looks disrespectful to the professor, like ‘Hey, I believe my morning (mid-afternoon) skinny grande triple gingerbread mocha latte is way more important than anything you could have said in the first five (twenty) minutes of class.” This applies even if you do believe that sentiment, and even if the teacher allows food and drink during class.
3. Stop being late to class every day.
No, seriously. Once you’re into your major classes, both your classmates and professors are your future peers in your field and what they think of you does matter, whether or not C’s get degrees, because networking.
4. Going to the University Hospital Starbucks at 1 am to start your essay and accompanying presentation that’s due tomorrow is stupid.
All that coffee will just make you feel nauseous when combined with jalapeno chips dipped in cream cheese, no sleep and self-imposed anxiety. Figure out how to manage your time and practice (you will never master it, but you should try) self-discipline.
5. A quick make-out session in a sticky frat house will not help you clear your head before getting down to the business of starting your homework (that’s due tomorrow).
This needs no further explanation.
6. If you don’t go to class, don’t hang around campus or anywhere you might run into your professor.
Especially don’t be chilling in the building your class is held when your class ends and your professor sees you standing there talking to your friend, after you emailed her saying you wouldn’t be in class because you’re sick. Even though you are actually sick, and you were totally planning on going home to rest until you saw your friend and he was telling you something really important. When you try to explain that to your professor as she confronts you, she might let you turn that day’s assignment in, but she will hate you and think you’re a liar and it will be the most embarrassing thing ever and you can consider that bridge burned.
7. Figure out the difference between relationships that drag you down and hold you back from potentially important life experiences and relationships that can and will motivate you both to be the best versions of yourselves as you actively seek the life you want.
This applies to all romantic and non-romantic and weird in-between relationships.
In other words, know when you should let something go and when you should put effort into keeping close with someone.
8. No one will plan your life for you.
Speaking of actively seeking the life you want, don’t expect that life to magically happen without your planning and executing in order to achieve goals. Counselors won’t tell you what the perfect career for you is and how to achieve it, you have to decide what path interests you and you take it. Studying abroad isn’t just a thing that comes along naturally like the impending spring semester, you have to plan it. Internships are cool and important and could help you feel less trapped by the monotony of classes and help you prepare for the workforce while making necessary connections, but only if you search for the right one and apply.
9. Take advantage of resources on campus like Student Success Advocates, they are there to help you with that aforementioned planning of your life goals.
Here at the U, you can go to http://ugs.utah.edu/students/student-success.php to see examples of what a student success advocate can help you with and make an appointment to meet with one. Shout out to Advisor Jen Malloy- She’s awesome.
10. That ‘Psychology of Women’ class that you took on accident when you thought you wanted to be a psychology major (like 50% of every female freshmen class in America (I made that number up)) was really weird but it taught you about contemporary societal issues and the modern version of feminism and equality and public dialogue like nothing else will.
Take a class that totally opens your mind to different ways of thinking. It will really inform your future intelligent discussions and opinions.
11. Joining that club, that sorority, that HerCampus writing team, that house with five other girls and the weird nickname that you wouldn’t tell your parents the meaning behind, etc. IS the best part of being an undergrad.
PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. DO THINGS. MEET PEOPLE. YOU WON’T REGRET IT. Sidenote: Why do college students give houses nicknames?
12. Don’t compare yourself, your capabilities, or your journey of self-discovery to other people and their journey.
You will regret doing that. You don’t need to take 22 credits in one semester just because your old high school friend did and still managed a social life, or whatever. You need those credits to try different types of classes over time to learn what you’re actually interested in, they’re not for packing into a tight schedule just because you don’t want to feel lame. Do you and your journey, it’s fine as long as you continue trying to progress.
13. Take care of yourself.
Working out is good. Grocery shopping is good. Having real meals at normal times is totally better than eating toast half asleep in your bed at 2 am because you were too busy to eat earlier and now you’re too tired for real food. The crumbs will get in your sheets, you won’t be able to keep them on the plate.