Things to Remember before heading off to College

Taylor Schefka “14

Staff Writer

1.) College people are friendly!

Spend some energy meeting new and interesting people. Making friends and memories are a big part of the whole experience, so talk to anyone about anything. Do not roommate with your best friend from high school. Learn to branch out, and add on to your chain of companions. For those of you who have come to college in a long-distance relationship with someone from high school, despite what many will tell you, it can work. The key is to not let your relationship interfere with your college experience. Your friends will change a lot over the next four years. Let them. Become friends with your favorite professors, and be aware that they can learn from you too. Try to embrace the differences between you and your classmates. Always ask yourself, “What can I learn from this person?”

2.) You WILL go through an identity crisis

The thing about college is that it’s only a million times better than high school and you are entirely free to be whoever you want to be. For the first time in your life, you have the freedom to pursue whatever your heart has ever desired. You get to pursue your interests alongside others who are growing and discovering along with you! You will go through an identity crisis. Every once in awhile, there will come a powerful moment when you can actually feel that an experience has changed who you are. Embrace these, even if they are painful. During a crisis is when you can rest it all in God, and you will find your identity in him.

3.) You cannot learn if you’re closed off

Above all and in everything you do, let God in. Do your best to become a better person for yourself and to go search for people who will appreciate you for who you are and not for convenience. No matter what your beliefs, be open-minded. You’re going to be challenged over the next four years in ways you can’t visualize, across all fronts. You can’t learn if you’re closed off. Some of you probably have no intentions of keeping any ties with anyone from home, but I recommend staying in contact. Call someone you love back home. When your parents visit, include them! You’ll get free food and make them feel cool. Send a hand-written letter to someone who made college possible for you.

5.) All-nighters are entirely overrated

Adjust your schedule around when you are most productive and creative. If you’re nocturnal and do your best work late at night, embrace that. It may be the only time in your life when you can. If you write your greatest papers the night before they are due, don’t let people tell you that you “should be more organized.” Different things work for different people. On the flip side, don’t attempt to do everything, a nice balance of things leads to well-being. This is the only occasion in your live when your only real responsibility is to learn.

6.) Welcome failure into your lives.

Failure is how we as people, grow. What matters is not that you failed, but that you recovered. It builds character. Things that seem like the end of the world really do become humorous with a little time. By knowing this, forget feeling sorry for yourself and try to do better next time. These standards will supply what is best for your life and will allow you to live to the fullest potential you were already created to.

“So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressure. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:10

P.S. Don’t make fun of pre-freshmen. That was us like 2 hours ago. Enjoy the next four years, they will pass by quickly. Try to remember how blessed you are. Be yourself. Create, grow, laugh, learn, love, inspire, and be inspired.