Almost three years worth of finals and I still struggle with setting up a study pattern. Coming into college Summer 2013, I never expected to be met with so much in a short time. I'm thankful for it, though. Every experience I have learned throughout my college career has made me a more mature individual. College has essentially prepared me for whatever comes next after.
And while the above paragraph would be a great way for me to begin telling you what I've learned in college, I feel like I should tell any incoming freshman what will not really happen. College is not as glamorous as Hollywood makes it seen. So let me give you a rundown of what every college girl should know and will learn within a year. Who knows? Maybe I'm helping knock down your expectations so you won't be completely shocked in college.
- Embrace Your Natural Beauty
You will not—I repeat, you will not—have enough time or energy to plaster a full set of makeup on your face each and every single day. Yes, in college you do have the ability to create your own schedule. You may, however, find that the class that you really need to take this semester is only offered at 8:30 in the morning. Whether walking, driving, or taking your college’s form of public transportation, you will not have enough time to plaster a full set of make up on. I tried for the first weeks…ok, maybe the first week. By the time the second week came around I was over it. I was up late doing homework or hanging out with friends and I could not get up early enough to plaster my face. Plus, I live in Florida. I’d rather my face not melt on a daily basis thank you very much. Hey, I’m not saying you have to embrace the day with a naked face. I learned that a swipe of eyeliner and a few strokes of mascara suffice. Also, I received a lot more compliments with just eyeliner and mascara…and this is coming from a girl who used to plaster natural makeup on.
Maybe it’s because my face wasn’t melting off anymore. No Wicked Witch of the West for me.
- The “Freshman Fifteen” is Real; So is the Gym
Stress, what I feel is the number one cause of the “Freshman Fifteen”. Gaining weight can only add on more stress for some. While I did not gain that much weight, this was definitely me the first semester. I was so stressed with school work, clubs, and organizations that I consumed more than necessary. Here’s a secret though: the gym not only helped me lose weight, but proved to be a stress reliever itself. You go to the gym, eat a bit healthier, de-stress, and sleep better at night, resulting in possibly waking up like a champ and doing better in class. So there was no “Freshman Fifteen” for me (more like the “Freshman Negative Ten”), less stress, great sleep, and a better academic performance. I performed well, I felt good, and I looked good.
…And then summer came, but that is a different story you’re sure to hear; a different confession.
Ladies, food can be your best friend. Just make sure the gym is a close second.
- “College Guys are so Much More Mature”; NO
No. No. No. No. No!! Most college guys are not more mature than your high school male friends. Just like you graduated from high school recently, so did some of them. It is not fair to expect a change in a matter of a few months. College guys still do the same things as your high school male friends. Why? They are growing up just like we are. One of the reasons you and your best friend from kindergarten are such great friends is because you grew up together. College is part of the growing up process, too. Befriend the guys, mature or not; grow up with them. It provides are better and stronger friendship than it could have if you did not get to know them until they met your standards of maturity.
Oh, hint hint, ladies: It may also provide a better love story than you expected.
- Every. Moment.
Hold still, pose with friends, smile, snap a pic. Move around, laugh with friends, scrunch your faces, snap a pic. Posed or candid, snap every single moment that made you laugh, that made you cry, that gave you a sense of pride. Some people do not have the gift of words. Newsflash: you don’t need to write down words to tell a story; pictures are just as good. Put them on a social media site, blog them, or even create a scrapbook with some of your closest friends.
“A picture is worth a thousand words”; imagine how many words pictures of your greatest few years could make; imagine how many stories you will always have to tell; imagine how many memories you will make.
- Sweatpants, Hair Up, Chilling with No Makeup On
I can honestly say this is how I spent a majority of my weekend nights, but in front of a television with some of my best friends. I regret nothing. Yeah, my friends and I went out a few times throughout the year, and it was nice to get dressed up and meet new people, but I found it more fun to share laughs at the expense of fictional characters on a television screen. We would order food, watch the Lifetime channel or some overly dramatic movie (sometimes even a football or basketball game), and laugh like we were not being judged. We were just us. I am not saying going out is not fun, but you do not have to do so every weekend. You may find that hanging out with your close friends at home, or at dinner, or walking around creating memories is just as fun.
Don’t believe me. Everyone’s different. If you stick around, though, you will find yourself subjugated to my many adventures—my many confessions—of my college experience that may make you laugh, cry, and shake your head.
