5 things you need to know about college

Dear rising college freshman,

YOU DID IT! You successfully survived 18 years in the same school district in your boring lil hometown. You’ve made it through all the lasts, like prom and Friday night football games. You got through the stress of the SAT and though you were panicked for a minute there, you finally decided on a college. You probably have a roommate, a bedspread, and a crush you’ve been eyeing in the Freshman Class Facebook page. Been there, done it, honey. It seems like yesterday I was in your shoes. But somewhere along the way, I blinked and now I’m graduating in less than a week. Why I didn’t listen to Kenny Chesney when he told me not to blink, I’ll never know, but here we are; just days away from closing one of the sweetest, most fun chapters in life thus far. And lemme just tell you, I’m all sorts of emo about it.

Now I’m no college expert. I won't be graduating Magna Cum Laude, but rather, I’ll be saying Thank You Laude. I wasn’t involved in every campus activity and never won an award for being an outstanding student. Sorry, mom! But I learned a lot, grew more than ever, and made lasting friendships and memories that I’ll cherish forever. And isn’t that worth the $40,000 tuition? Lol. Well, let’s not talk about that.

Here are some nuggets of truth I hope you’ll always remember as you enter college:

1. Quality over Quantity: This was a hard pill to swallow for my Enneagram 7-always-wanting-more self. Starting college is like cannonballing into an ocean of new activities, experiences, and people, and it seems like the point is to acquire as many of these things as quickly as possible. It sometimes felt like a competition to have the biggest friend group and busiest schedule, but eventually, you’ll realize that it’s not about how much you have, but the quality of those things. A schedule filled with activity is a great thing and the more friends, the merrier! BUT at the end of the day, five amazing, life-giving things are better than ten half-hearted, surface-level things. Quality over quantity, always and forever!
2. Find out where your comfort zone and then proceed to bust out of it: Do the thing that scares you. Go out on a limb. Talk to people first. Go on a weekend retreat even if you only know a couple of people going. Raise money for the mission trip you don’t think you can afford. If you have an opportunity to do something that scares you, do it. Unless the thing that scares you is illegal or could get you arrested. Then maybe don’t do that.
3. COMMUNITY IS A MAJOR KEY: I hope you read that in DJ Khaled’s voice, but if not, I forgive you. But here’s the juice honey, you absolutely, 100% cannot do college alone. Do all that you can to seek out genuine biblical community because Lord KNOWS you’ll need it. You’ll need it when you’re on the verge of failing a class and start punching pillows to relieve stress. Or when you don’t get the job, the boy breaks your heart, and you’re wrestling with heavy family situations back home. You’ll need it when you need someone to make you laugh or someone to just sit and listen. You’ll need it when you need to be reminded of God’s goodness. Long story long, you’re going to need people to share in the struggle with you and walk with you through your darkest and happiest days. Immerse yourself in community; it probably won’t just fall in your lap.
4. Change is a good thing: If you notice yourself changing, don’t be alarmed. I was freaked out at first, too, but this gradual process of changing in college is apparently just a form of GROWTH? Who knew, right? You’re going to be stretched through difficult situations, but you’re going to grow so, so much. You’ll gain wisdom, weight (ugh lol) and enough memories to last a lifetime. Growing means that you may change a little bit in the process. Hannah said it best, “You can change your hair and you can change your clothes, you can change your mind that’s just the way it goes.” You’re going to change in college, that’s just the way it goes! *drops mic*
5. Soak it all in: Spoiler alert: it flies by. Not to be dramatic, but it will literally be over before you know it. Take advantage of this sweet season because one day you’ll be pumping the brakes and hanging on to the last moments of college with everything you’ve got. Don’t take it for granted and don’t rush it. Make memories, have fun, and live to tell the story. Oh, and don’t lose your scholarships. Whoopsie.

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