My first two weeks have been completed! I decided to write this post now while it’s fresh on my mind, because if one thing's for sure... I learned a LOT the first week. Starting college is a scary thing. You can read as many articles, tip sheets, Pinterest links, or advice columns as you want, but you can never be fully prepared for this whirlwind of crazy. But of course, those articles and pins always help, so why not conform and create one myself? Everyone has a different college experience, I’m just going to share my list of 11 things I have PERSONALLY learned so far. (Here she goes again…)
1. If you think you are good at time management… you’re not.
In high school, I thought I was awesome at managing my time. My planner had every little detail of every day included, I would get all of my assignments finished on time, and I would still have time to watch Jeopardy at 7:30 every night. Throw in class, English readings, 3 chapters of a humongo Biology book plus homework, an essay about a song you haven’t even chosen yet, a required Alcohol education course online, 70 precalculus problems, university events (Like a hypnotist. FUNNIEST. THING. EVER. IN. MY. LIFE.), friend time, Walmart runs, and still trying to find time to eat and sleep… My time skills were thrown right out the window. This whole “college” thing is no joke. I am actually typing this blog while I have one and a half more chapters of Biology to read before tomorrow, and essay to write, and 30 pages of English to read. But you know what? This just sums up my college life right now, so I’m just gonna casually let it happen. There’s just SO much going on all the time, and I want to be involved with EVERYTHING. Yet, I know now that sometimes that just can’t happen. Which brings me to my next point…
2. Don’t make up excuses to skip over your Jesus time.
I have been trying to stick with this reading plan in my Bible for a few months, and honestly I’ve been tested this week. I have had to make myself prioritize more than I ever have before. The first week was hectic, for sure, but I learned that creating a routine of reading at a certain time (and sticking to it) will take away a whole lot of the chaos and anchor yourself with the Lord even more. College is a time of life where you’ll be tested, so a firm relationship with God is step one to surviving it.
3. Surround yourself with good people.
I have been blessed to have awesome people in my classes, my groups in class, on my hall, in my suite, and an awesome roommate. I have constantly been surrounded by friends and encouragement, but I know that some people don’t have that as easily as I do. I’ve had to reach out to make friends, as well, but God has placed some people in my life right around me. For example… My roommate, Reagan, and I get along SO well, and we have been asking around to see what churches would be good for us to visit around here. I met a guy in English, and we were talking after class one day about mission trips, and he was telling me about his church that he went to. Before we know it, Reagan and I are at an awesome new church, meeting awesome, new, God-loving friends, and we are headed to our small group leader’s house tonight for supper. Like, what are the odds?! Things are just working out so wonderfully, and I can’t praise God enough for how He has been working out these situations lately. Moral of the story: If you surround yourself with the right people, you can create some pretty beneficial relationships.
4. Don’t forget to call your family.
When you are missing home, CALL YA MAMA. I actually haven’t been nearly as homesick as I have been expecting to be, but whenever I call home I just instantly get put into a better mood. My mom always knows what to say, and I love having someone to tell all of my stories to who will actively listen to EVERY one (or at least act like it). Talking to your family instantly cheers you up and encourages you, which is super helpful when you have just been submerged into a brand new world of freedom and independece - which comes with a whole lot of responsibility.
5. Learn to be alone.
It’s obviously not ideal to go to chow by myself, but sometimes I just HAVE to enjoy chicken finger friday. My suitemates all may go home on the weekend and I’m in the suite with no one to talk to, but it gives me more time to study at least. I may not wanna go walk to my mailbox alone, but if you have mail… you’ve got mail (ba-dum-chhh). Luckily, Reagan and I love each other a whole lot and have similar schedules, so we have each other most of the time! But I’ve learned to be alone, and it’s something that most people aren’t used to coming right out of a small town high school. It gives you time to be with yourself, and that’s so important in a time where you are constantly surrounded by new influences.
6. Take some chances.
I’m not talking about crazy, stereotypical, “college” activities… ahem… but take chances everyday! If you see someone sitting alone and you want to go try to talk to them, do it. If you want to make a coke float at chow, do it. If your roommate wants you to walk with her to the hair salon and you are enticed to dye your hair… DO IT.
But really, the most wonderful things have happened just by times in my life where I’ve said, “yes.” SAY YES TO THINGS AND YOU WON’T REGRET IT!
7. Find a good church.
God sends you into some people’s lives to lead them to church, and other times, you’re the one being led! Reagan and I knew we wanted to church-hop around Dahlonega for a few Sundays because we wanted to go to a good church here, we just didn’t know where. Luckily, we met Austin (the guy from point #3), and we have found an awesome church with awesome people! It was exactly what we were looking for, and everything happened at just the right time.
8. Sharpie doesn’t easily come off your arm.
When you and your roommate have tattoo night in your dorm, don’t use Sharpie. Use a pen. Or else, you will have to wear ¾ length shirts all weekend…
9. Ask people questions.
You can’t learn anything about anyone if you don’t ask them questions (unless they just choose to voluntarily give you their life story). It doesn’t matter how dumb a question is, it can always lead to something awesome. The other day it was raining, and I literally asked someone if it rained a lot where they lived. Who even asks that? But sure enough, it rains a LOT where they live, and apparently a flood got them stuck in their apartment one time and they were out of school for a week. Which then led to asking where they went to school, and then sure enough… I knew someone from there! It’s the little stuff like that that usually leads to finding something in common with anyone.
10. People will not always smile back at you.
It’s just a fact. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU SMILE AT SOMEONE, CERTAIN PEOPLE WILL JUST NOT RETURN THE HAPPINESS. But that’s okay, their heart may be smiling and you just can’t see it… at least, that’s what I tell myself.
11. Don’t forget this is the time of your life.
It’s week three and I am already having the most fun time of my life. Sure, classes don’t make me rejoice with gladness, but it’s nothing compared to the adventures I’m having living on my own, meeting new people, growing in my faith, and learning life lessons every day. This is the time of my life, and I don’t want to be one of those people who realize it AFTER they graduate. So enjoy every minute, live in the moment, and take it allllllll in!
No comments:
Post a Comment