Top 10 lessons I learned my Freshman Year of College

Top 10 lessons I learned my Freshman Year of College

1)   Tests are really hard in college.  In fact, they are propably much harder than you can imagine.  Just to be safe, imagine the hardest test possible and just know that it will be even harder than that.  Study as much as you can for tests because they determine the majority of your grade.

2)   It is challenging to sleep if you are a light sleeper.  Do yourself a huge favor and come to college with a few earplugs and maybe even a sleeping mask.

3)   It is completely normal to feel homesick at times, even if you live close to home.  Life is totally different when you are away from home.  Whether 20 miles or 20,000 miles away from home, you are still away from family and friends.  Get involved and stay busy.  Make new friends to combat homesickness.  Call home often, but not too often.

4)   Make grocery lists.  This will save you a lot of time, effort, and money.

5)   Dating should be fun, especially your freshman year.  You will probably have friends who get married but don’t expect this to happen to you.  Date to find out what you do and do not like in those you date. Afterall, this is what dating is all about.

6)   There is something to be learned from every relationship.  This includes friends, roommates, those you date, boyfriends, neighbors, teachers, TA’s, etc. 

7)   Take care of yourself.  Exercise. Sleep.  Eat well.  Do things that you enjoy.  My second semester was a lot more fun because I did more things with friends, even though it was a difficult semester.

8)   Make use of study groups.  Seriously, this is what pulled me through with Ochem.

9)   Prayer is real.  When overwhelmed, stressed, tired, lonely, missing someone, excited, thankful, etc. pour out your heart and soul in prayer.  God delights in your successes.  And he wants to hear from you always, share both the good and the bad.  And don’t forget to express thanks.

10)                  You discover who many of your true friends are.  I probably don’t talk to 95% of the kids I went to school with.  And the remaining 5% that I keep in contact with have become so much more meaningful to me.