It’s easy to get a rose-colored glasses view of college when we’re constantly shown fictious, idealized versions of campus life through movies and TV shows. And while some of what happens is based in fact, these stories often blow college life way out of proportion. Constant partying and hardly ever going to classes just doesn’t happen—but classes don’t make for good entertainment, right? The smartest thing for you to do when you head off to college is to carry a healthy dose of practicality with you and this sage advice that you should know long before you graduate.
Perfect the art of listening and learning
We spend so much of our lives talking and not a lot of time listening. College is a time of immense change and growth, but we often let times like these happen to us rather than making them happen for us. Something that will benefit you is learning how to listen and reflect. Take in a professor’s constructive criticism when you’re struggling with a paper and learn to understand it’s not a personal attack against you or your intelligence. Listen to your roommate’s concerns over your shared lifestyle and learn to compromise while also making sure your needs are met. You’ll face a lot of moments like these where you’ll need the skill of responding over reacting. Perfecting that skill will take you far and lead you to a more balanced and less stressful daily life.
Related: Five College Lessons Learned Outside the Classroom
Keep your circle smaller than you think you need to
Having friends is great, but one of the biggest things I learned after leaving college is it’s impossible to keep up with everyone. You’ll have a job, a home to upkeep, pets, hobbies, and maybe a spouse eventually. It’s just not reasonable to expect you to keep up with every single friend from college (or high school). So while you’re in college, it’s smart to keep your circle small. I’m not saying don’t be friendly or hang out with acquaintances—but don’t force yourself to keep in touch with people just for the sake of being popular or nice. You’ll find yourself much more stressed in your relationships and academically if you’re spread too thin. What if your soccer buddy wants to get dinner on Thursday, but that friend from your psych class is upset because they haven’t heard from you in a while and that’s the only night they’re free, but you also have a test the next morning? Find the people who really uplift, support, and understand you and keep them the closest. The ones you want to carry with you are the ones who understand how busy life gets but will pick up with you right where you left off no matter how much time has passed.
Related: Four Great Ways to Make Friends at College
It’s not the best four years of your life
Yes, college is a wonderful, fun, exciting time of learning, growing, finding independence, and discovering yourself. But it’s only four years of a long life you have left to live. So while you should enjoy it to the best of your ability, don’t hang your hat on it being the best years of your life. This kind of thinking is harmful for two main reasons:
It will make the hard parts harder
Partying, making new friends, joining clubs, and playing sports are amazing opportunities you’ll have while attending college. But there are also major exams, huge projects, and the balancing act of assignments, jobs, and your social life. College will be equally as trying as it is rewarding, so don’t blindside yourself into thinking it will be this perfect experience. You’ll have to challenge yourself, and you will struggle—but all of it will make you a better person and more prepared for the wonderful life you’ll lead after college.
It will give you a poor outlook on postgrad life
Believe me, I know people who left college (even high school) and wasted many years of their life just wishing they could go back. Make the most of your time in college, but also remember the end goal: to find a great career and lead a great life after it’s over. While you shouldn’t wish it away, you also shouldn’t spend your time fearing graduation and leaving the life you’ve built in college. It’s just another stepping stone to bigger and better things. And trust me, there are bigger and better things waiting for you.
Related: True or False? Clearing Up College Myths
College is a special time in a person’s life, but it’s not the end all, be all. There’s a lot of life to live when it’s over. Enjoy it to the fullest while you can, but know you have a whole lot else ahead of you after graduation. Keeping yourself grounded is a smart way to get you through the experience so that years later, you can look back and say, “Yeah, that was a great time in my life, and I’m grateful for where it got me today.”
For more practical advice like this, check out other blogs and articles in our Student Life section.
