12 Things My First Semester of College Has Taught Me
It's been said that a wise person learns from his mistakes, but that a genius learns from the mistakes of others. So for your sakes, I'm going to tell you what I've learned this semester so that you might not have to learn it for yourself. :)
Don't be afraid to ask someone what their name is several times.
You meet so many new people when you go to college! And, let's be real, you're not going to remember their names after one encounter with them--and they're not going to remember yours either! It's less awkward to ask them, "What was your name, again?" four times than it is to be halfway through the semester going, "Heeeyy...... bud?" when you pass them in the hallway.
It's okay to sleep.
At the beginning of the semester, I was so sleep-deprived. I felt guilty for going to sleep before getting a significant amount of homework done, even if it was after 1 AM! Since then, I've realized there are plenty of hours in the day, if only I will be diligent, and that I'm much more diligent if I've slept. I've also learned that sometimes a nap is the perfect cure for a study block.
Don't believe everything the upperclassmen tell you.
I was told (by basically every upperclassman I talked to) that a certain required class would be hard and that the teacher would be terrible and that getting an A was almost impossible. Because myself and all the other freshman were told this, many of them decided to blow off said class, because, "What's the point?" Well, I made up my mind to see for myself what I thought of the class and the teacher, and, while it wasn't my favorite lecture to sit through every week, I made an effort (a minimal one) to apply myself and I ended up with a 96% in the class, and, truth be told, I didn't think the teacher was half bad. I also didn't listen to the upperclassmen about blowing off the homework and actually earned the required amount of aerobics points (In case you haven't it figured out, I'm talking about Health/Fitness I.), and I feel quite amazing. Ahem. *smile* *blink* *step off soapbox*...... *step back onto soapbox* Don't hold me this principle for that 50-aerobics-point-per-week requirement for next semester, though...
Check your email!
There's a lot of important stuff in there. Just saying... Don't walk all the way to PE at the Aerobics Center at 7:50 AM only to find out it was cancelled like I did.
Have clean fun.
You have time to have fun. Do it! Especially while you have time at the beginning of the semester. You're only this young once and you're only in college once! You have to say "no" sometimes, but don't say "no" every time! Also, notice I inserted "clean"... Say "no" to drugs and parties and sex. Say "yes" to Braum's and ultimate frisbee and scavenger hunts!
You can't do something the wrong way and expect it to turn out right.
This applies to everything; doing homework, spending time with God, building friendships, managing your time, building relationships, and just living well in general. You can't slack on your homework and get a good grade. You can't neglect time with God and be close to Him. You can't not invest in people and expect to have friends. You can't waste your time and get things done. You can't (as a woman) try to make something happen or take up roles that women have no right to in a relationship and expect to be pursued. Finally, you can't eat six cookies a day in the cafeteria and be healthy.
Don't procrastinate.
That last few hours before a big paper that you have procrastinated on is due are ROUGH. And think of the grade you could get if you give yourself enough time to do well on an assignment. I've procrastinated on a couple papers and gotten a lower-than-I-hoped-for grade. Like I said before, there are plenty of hours in the day!
Get to class on time.
Walking in late is embarrassing. The end.
Spending time reading your Bible WILL give you clarity.
This may be one of those things you just have to learn for yourself... We've all gone through seasons where we don't read or spend time in prayer as much as we should, and seasons where we do. When you start making time to get into the Word again, you realize, "Wow! I could've saved myself a lot of time and energy if I had had this clarity and instruction before..."
Be a listener.
The college experience doesn't just consist of doing schoolwork and getting a degree. It's also a time for you to form relationships and to get outside of yourself. Getting to know, be there for, bless, minister to, and love on people is just as big an accomplishment as earning a degree, and, in fact, it's just as rewarding. Spending time listening to people and caring about them are activities that are just as worthy of your time and energy as your schoolwork is. So don't regret making time for people. You need them just as much as they need you. While you can't invest all of your time in others, don't get stressed when someone stops you to talk. The truth of it is that they probably just need someone to listen in that moment, and God will give you the grace to finish your schoolwork.
Rely on God's grace.
One, you need it. Two, He promises and is faithful to give it. I've seen Him do it so many times!
Don't get Yik Yak.
No explanation necessary.
Love y'all,
K <3
Don't be afraid to ask someone what their name is several times.
You meet so many new people when you go to college! And, let's be real, you're not going to remember their names after one encounter with them--and they're not going to remember yours either! It's less awkward to ask them, "What was your name, again?" four times than it is to be halfway through the semester going, "Heeeyy...... bud?" when you pass them in the hallway.
It's okay to sleep.
At the beginning of the semester, I was so sleep-deprived. I felt guilty for going to sleep before getting a significant amount of homework done, even if it was after 1 AM! Since then, I've realized there are plenty of hours in the day, if only I will be diligent, and that I'm much more diligent if I've slept. I've also learned that sometimes a nap is the perfect cure for a study block.
Don't believe everything the upperclassmen tell you.
I was told (by basically every upperclassman I talked to) that a certain required class would be hard and that the teacher would be terrible and that getting an A was almost impossible. Because myself and all the other freshman were told this, many of them decided to blow off said class, because, "What's the point?" Well, I made up my mind to see for myself what I thought of the class and the teacher, and, while it wasn't my favorite lecture to sit through every week, I made an effort (a minimal one) to apply myself and I ended up with a 96% in the class, and, truth be told, I didn't think the teacher was half bad. I also didn't listen to the upperclassmen about blowing off the homework and actually earned the required amount of aerobics points (In case you haven't it figured out, I'm talking about Health/Fitness I.), and I feel quite amazing. Ahem. *smile* *blink* *step off soapbox*...... *step back onto soapbox* Don't hold me this principle for that 50-aerobics-point-per-week requirement for next semester, though...
Check your email!
There's a lot of important stuff in there. Just saying... Don't walk all the way to PE at the Aerobics Center at 7:50 AM only to find out it was cancelled like I did.
Have clean fun.
You have time to have fun. Do it! Especially while you have time at the beginning of the semester. You're only this young once and you're only in college once! You have to say "no" sometimes, but don't say "no" every time! Also, notice I inserted "clean"... Say "no" to drugs and parties and sex. Say "yes" to Braum's and ultimate frisbee and scavenger hunts!
You can't do something the wrong way and expect it to turn out right.
This applies to everything; doing homework, spending time with God, building friendships, managing your time, building relationships, and just living well in general. You can't slack on your homework and get a good grade. You can't neglect time with God and be close to Him. You can't not invest in people and expect to have friends. You can't waste your time and get things done. You can't (as a woman) try to make something happen or take up roles that women have no right to in a relationship and expect to be pursued. Finally, you can't eat six cookies a day in the cafeteria and be healthy.
Don't procrastinate.
That last few hours before a big paper that you have procrastinated on is due are ROUGH. And think of the grade you could get if you give yourself enough time to do well on an assignment. I've procrastinated on a couple papers and gotten a lower-than-I-hoped-for grade. Like I said before, there are plenty of hours in the day!
Get to class on time.
Walking in late is embarrassing. The end.
Spending time reading your Bible WILL give you clarity.
This may be one of those things you just have to learn for yourself... We've all gone through seasons where we don't read or spend time in prayer as much as we should, and seasons where we do. When you start making time to get into the Word again, you realize, "Wow! I could've saved myself a lot of time and energy if I had had this clarity and instruction before..."
Be a listener.
The college experience doesn't just consist of doing schoolwork and getting a degree. It's also a time for you to form relationships and to get outside of yourself. Getting to know, be there for, bless, minister to, and love on people is just as big an accomplishment as earning a degree, and, in fact, it's just as rewarding. Spending time listening to people and caring about them are activities that are just as worthy of your time and energy as your schoolwork is. So don't regret making time for people. You need them just as much as they need you. While you can't invest all of your time in others, don't get stressed when someone stops you to talk. The truth of it is that they probably just need someone to listen in that moment, and God will give you the grace to finish your schoolwork.
Rely on God's grace.
One, you need it. Two, He promises and is faithful to give it. I've seen Him do it so many times!
Don't get Yik Yak.
No explanation necessary.
Love y'all,
K <3