As I have closed the chapter of my life titled “College,”
I have looked back on my four years and smiled. I have learned so much – much more
than just what I paid to be taught. College is a time of independence,
self-discovery/solidification, and adventure. In this post, I’m going to share
some of the things that I learned in my college career but first, I need to lay
out a few details: (1) I went to a “party” state school, (2) I chose a
difficult curriculum and a medium level of extracurricular activity, (3) I was
not a part of the greek system in any way, and (4) I don’t do drugs (never
have, never will). That being said – these are a few of the lessons I learned
outside the classroom and the lab. The first few are reality-check-type lessons
and the last two are life-is-beautiful-type lessons. Enjoy!
· This ain’t high school
And it’s fabulous that it isn’t.
In my experience, friendships and relationships are much simpler and much
easier in college. I think it’s mostly because we’ve grown up, we’ve moved on,
and we’ve “been there, done that” with the drama. And for those poor souls that
don’t learn this lesson early on, they’ll find that many people simply let them
go and move on to “chiller” friends who have learned it.
·
The best fun is not the college party.
This is a lesson that I had
already kind of expected to be true before I got to college but after going to
parties and having their “fun,” I found that it is much too overrated. Too many
a college student can’t hold his/her liquor or dignity. I honestly don’t relate
to this, “I don’t remember it, so it must have been a hell of a fun night,”
mentality. Logically, it doesn’t make sense. But don’t get me wrong, I’m of age
and I enjoy alcohol, really I do. Ha! But, I don’t enjoy the college culture
that involves it – it’s immature.
The best fun is simple fun. The
kinds of activities that bring you back to the things that really matter, the
things that you neglect most of the time. Things like your friends (and their
glorious, sober personalities that made them your friends), childhood innocence,
delicious food, relaxing, and hobbies. The best memories I made in college were
going to concerts, having movie nights and marathons, playing video games, and
cooking and eating great food with great friends. This is the true fun – not that
drunken daze b.s.
·
Some people are ready for independence and some
are not.
I saw this everywhere throughout
my college career – not just freshman year, though frosh was probably the worst
for most people. I was ready for independence. Freshman year, I had high
grades, had a job on campus, balanced my checkbook like a good girl, went to
all my classes, had my brand of fun, and kept my life, studies, and room in
order (organization and cleanliness). But there were examples of people who
were not ready: girls who drink too much and get hurt or taken advantage of,
people who eat unhealthily just because they can or because that’s “what
college students do,” people who skip their classes all the time, and people
that don’t know how to even do their own laundry. Even as college wore on
evidence of those needing a little more guidance was everywhere – dishwashers
are apparently very difficult to run and load properly. :P
Now on to Life is Beautiful :)
·
Get involved!
Even a big school has unity and
getting involved is the best way to tap into it. Go to the sports events,
attend the free social events put on by the school, join a club, do intramural
sports, go to the gym, partake in fitness classes, go for the free food and
free t-shirts, learn your school fight song (and love it!), wear your school
colors with pride, get to know the people you see in class often, participate
in community events put on by the city/town in which your school is located,
donate your time, donate blood – Get involved!
WSU is bigger than any school
that I have gone to, though it is small for a state university. But no matter
how big or small you see WSU, it is undeniable that the school spirit is strong
– it’s verging on cultism, if you ask me! :D But I went to football games
(Apple Cup!), basketball games, concerts on campus, bbqs, and more! I know my
fight song like the back of my hand. I was part of a club for ChemEs and also a
part of the multicultural students group for a while. I went to the gym often
(though not as often the last year…). I knew my class well, did intramural
sports, worked on campus for a dining hall, donated blood, attend the annual
Lentil Festival in Pullman and so much more. Doing these things connected me to
my school, my community. I urge everyone to get involved. It’s a beautiful way
to have fun, stay active, and give back.
·
It’s all about the journey.
I’ve grown a lot since I was a
wide-eyed freshman – I have solidified the person that I developed in high
school into a stronger, more confident version of myself. Though I have changed
a lot, I am still very much the same person that left my high school four years
ago. It’s been a beautiful journey through college and it’s important to
remember throughout the adventure that is higher education that it’s all about
the journey. In the grand scheme of things, one bad grade is just a blip on the
radar. Bad weeks, bad semesters, hard classes, difficult projects, late nights,
and the multitude of challenges that students face are finite – they will end
and give way to better, brighter, and happier days – especially when you persevere
and succeed. Take the ups with the downs because without the rain, we’d not
appreciate the sun.
Enjoy the ride and don’t sweat
the small stuff.
Remember to have fun.
Life truly is beautiful.
- Jenny -
 |
| I didn't make this - don't remember the name of the person who did (found it on Facebook during Apple Cup week). If anyone knows, let me know so I can give him/her credit! Thanks! :) |
