A senior’s tips on getting through college

Having only one semester left in college tends to make one reflective of the time spent there. I’ve been in college since Fall 2010, making my total time in college close to seven years. Don’t even get me started on why it took so long. But, having had a pretty extensive college experience, I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned. Without further to do, I give you…

Tips for getting through college from someone who is oh so close to being done: 

1. It’s okay to fail. It’s healthy even. I know the thought of failure is terrifying, but you learn so much more from failure than success. 
2. Get to know yourself, your limits, your strengths and weaknesses. It will come in handy when you have to make big decisions. 
3. Don’t be ashamed of your interests, no matter how embarrassing you may think they are. You never know who may share those interests. 
4. Be unabashedly yourself. It’s the easiest way to find people that you are compatible with.  
5. Some people are going to like you and some people are not, that is completely okay. Whether someone likes you or not, it isn’t in your control. The sooner you figure out that not everyone has to like you, the easier life will be. I consider myself to be a pretty likeable person; very easy to get along with. But I’ve encountered a few people in my life that pretty obviously hated me. They probably had their reasons, but I came to figure out that when someone doesn’t like you, it typically means they are insecure with themselves and don’t like that you are not the same. Learn to let these people go; they will only bring you down. 
6. Some bridges are worth saving, but you have to know when a bridge needs to be burned. Sometimes a bridge gets burned from the other side. In any case, when a bridge gets burned, it’s best to move on. Dwelling on the ashes of one bridge may prevent you from building new, stronger ones. 
7. Take a breather: don’t overload yourself and budget some time to relax. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. 
8. That reminds me — take care of yourself, physically and mentally. Your future self will thank you when you take a break from studying to eat or sleep. I’ve done way too many all-nighters and skipped way too many meals.  I promise, that grade is not with a trip to the hospital because you’re dehydrated or starving. 
9. Try new things. You’re at a time in your life where it’s all about you. Take advantage of that and learn as much as you can about what you like and don’t like. You never know until you try! 
10. Lastly, I want to share a quote that I have no idea where it came from, but it’s a good one to live by: “There is no growth in your comfort zone, and no comfort in your growth zone.” Growing pains aren’t exclusively physical. Life is going to hurt, but I can tell you from personal experience, it actually does get better.

This is my last semester at The Lasso and I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have worked here. It has been the greatest job I’ve ever had. Working with so many different people has expanded my horizons and opened my eyes to things I’ve never encountered or thought about before, and I’m grateful for that. Thank you to all those who have worked with me and supported me on this little journey! You will forever have a place in my heart.