10 Things I've Learned from College

Graduation is just around the corner for me, and it’s about dang time! These past four years, I have found my true self. And I would not change my college experience for the world. With all of the things I learned in  my undergraduate career, I thought it would be beneficial for my reader's to get a personal sense of what to expect from college. If you want to hear the 10 things I've learned from college, keep on reading!

THINGS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO CHANGE, SO BE FLEXIBLE

I know change is inevitable most of the time, but the outlook that you have can alter your experience. In college, so many things can change: due dates on the syllabus, professors, friend groups, even your fashion sense. What’s important is to embrace change and not be so rigid.

There are going to be times outside of college where a deadline changes, or a client cancels on a sales call. It’s important to be light on your feet when change comes around. Plus, your adaptability skills are something else to put on your resume. Just a thought.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE ISN'T A BAD THING

I remember when I was graduating high school, everyone and their mother was asking me where I was going to college. And I didn’t know what to tell them – where I wanted to go to college, and where my parents wanted me to go to college. I ended up going to a community college in my area, and initially I wasn’t entirely happy about it.

Typically, college is known as the time where you are in your own world, away from the surveillance of parents and early curfews. I had this stigma about community college constantly pestering me, and I didn’t have this path originally planned for my future. To my surprise, the classes I took at community college made me the person I am today.

Originally, I had the plan to major in Special Education. But that plan changed when I spoke to someone that showed me the benefits of being a communication major. When class registration for the Fall began, I ended up choosing a communication major. Through the classes I took at my two years there, I found my passion for public speaking. Community college isn’t a bad thing, evidently.

USE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS WHILE YOU CAN

There are so many resources available to students on campus, whether it is a four-year university or a two-year community college. Resources like career counseling, counseling, on-campus physicians, and more are available for students – now you must find out that they exist to use them.

During Fall 2017, I experienced a lot of anxiety & depression. I didn’t know where to turn, or who I could talk to about my issues. It was from a co-worker that I heard of the counseling services on campus, so I gave it a shot. I made a counseling appointment, and I have used this amazing resource through my mental health journey. The counselors and psychiatrists that I talked to ECU were more than helpful to get me back on the right track. So, take my experience to heart, and realize that these campus resources are here to use.

You can read my personal experience with anxiety right here.

COLOR CODING IS A LIFE-SAVER

I’m a mixed bag when it comes to my organization skills. Ideally, I like to get everything planned out for the week, so I know what’s coming my way. But I end up getting jumbled by all the black & white on my paper, and nothing to distinguish a new section. After wondering what I could do to organize my notes and planner better, I found the solution – colored pens. Whether you get them from the dollar store or from Michael’s, colors can help you visualize things better on paper.

I color code almost everything now, and I have fun with it too! Not only is it a life-saver when prepping for 8-page long essays, it’s beneficial for personal to-lists as well. You can never be too organized, am I right? Go color-code crazy; just make sure you have a system for all these colors too.

PUT AWAY MONEY FOR THE IMPORTANT THINGS

I’m not the best at putting away money, as I’m the type of person who spends her paycheck as soon as it hits my hand. Recently, I’ve been trying to put away money for the important things, like rent and other bills. One of my close friends taught me an important financial tip – when you receive your paycheck, pay off your credit cards and bills first. Whatever is left over can be used for personal items or fun activities.

It’s helpful to have a plan for your money, especially if you are trying to save up for something hefty, like a car or a new apartment. Being financial aware can put you at ease, too! If you plan out how much money is coming out of your account, you don’t have to worry when the end of the month comes around. Just remember that you should put your money towards meaningful things and experiences, instead of a daily trip to Starbucks every weekday.

RECOGNIZE YOUR OWN SUCCESSES

Remember those days where you came home from school, and your mom asked you what you did that day? Someone was always there to recognize your successes, and in college that recognition can disappear. I remember hearing somewhere that you should recognize your own successes, or else no one else will.

You might not always have that person there to celebrate with you during the big moments, so remember to recognize your own successes as they come. Your biggest support system is yourself.

YOUR MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY

College is a wonderful time enjoy your freedom and find one’s true self. But in recent years, anxiety and depression have tormented college students at an alarming rate. Research shows that nearly 1 in 5 university students are affected with anxiety or depression. But where could these mental health issues come from?

There’s not one finite answer to this question, as it changes for each college student. Some people get a lot of anxiety from public-speaking or test taking, while others can become depressed during tough points of the semester for countless reasons. Every college student experiences stress differently. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of poor mental health, and when to ask for help. Your mental health should be your top priority in college. If you aren’t happy mentally, emotionally or physically, give a visit to your local mental health provider – one may even be on your college campus.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO USE OFFICE HOURS

Professors usually state their office hours on their syllabus, but many students don’t take advantage of this precious one-on-one time. During office hours, you can ask for homework help, why you got certain exam questions wrong, any advice for better grades in the class, and more. It all depends on your professor, so make sure to utilize their office hours – it could help you when final grades come around.

ON-CAMPUS JOBS ARE RESUME BOOSTERS

I wish I could tell freshman-Diane about on-campus jobs honestly. They’re a lot cooler than they seem, trust me! I accepted an on-campus job in Fall 2017, and my job was to answer questions for the help desk while also monitoring a computer lab. Doesn’t sound that hard, right?

Even though I had no idea what I was getting into, considering this was an IT job, I ended up receiving a lot of benefits from it. I learned how to code HTML, how to create a website, and I improved my customer service skills in the meantime. If you get the opportunity to take on a campus job, please take it! It’s a great addition to your resume. Plus, you might get taxed less, seeing as college universities get paid by the state. Just saying.

COLLEGE EVENTS MAKE FOR GREAT MEMORIES

If you don’t know how to get involved with your school, or simply want to experience fun on campus, go to campus events! Some of my greatest memories were at events on campus. Usually, clubs and organizations on campus give out free goodies to those who interact with their booth, so college events are great for scoring free stuff! I just went to my last college event the other day (sad, I know!) but when I was there, I ended up getting 5+ Popsockets, free cups, t-shirts, and phone accessories.

So even if you’re not involved in a club on campus, and don’t get involved with the school beyond the classroom, don’t worry. Going to college events is a great way to interact with the community and have some fun along the way. College doesn’t have to be all work and no play, you know!

So there you have it, 10 things that I've learned from college?

Are you an incoming college student? Already graduated?

Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to connect on social media!