Dear Freshman Self,
As I look back on my mostly pleasant three years at Midwestern State University, I often think of things I would have done differently. Although I have no regrets, and take every experience (good or bad) as a learning experience, I do wish I had the insight then that I do now. So here are some tips I would give to a younger me.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is a fun and exciting tool with a variety of platforms to engage an audience, but it can also be your worst nightmare. Don’t be the person that trashes people online or posts one too many photos from last night’s party. You may think you look cool now, but down the road you won’t think it’s cool when no one wants to hire you. Remember: just because something can be deleted, doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.
MAJOR CHANGE
A small percentage of students graduate college the same major they went into it with, I was one of those students. I started out as a political science major, but ended up adding mass communication. If you at any point feel apathetic about your major, don’t feel sorry about changing. Talk to your advisor and have them help you. Don’t feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do. If your heart isn’t in something, it will only get worse.
Also, this advice is coming from a slightly unrealistic, naïve and overly optimistic 23-year-old but don’t chase money. If you are horrible at math or science, don’t sign up to be an engineer major because you think it will bring you lots of money and “happiness.” If you have to struggle through something you don’t enjoy doing, no matter how well the pay – you will never be happy, and that’s a fact.
ACTIVISM
When you look back on the years you spent in college, you want to remember more than books and exams. Or at least I do. The solution here is to get involved. There are an endless amount of organizations on campus for you to become a part of. Not only will you network, but you will have fun, and we all want to have fun in college. Who knows, you might even learn something.
PUNCTUALITY
Being on time is a sign of respect, and although I’ve had my share of tardies I try my absolute best not to let it happen. You don’t want your professor to think you don’t take his or her class serious. Additionally, it’s a disruption to see someone walk in twenty minutes late when the teacher is in the middle of a lecture.
ABSENCES
Each professor has their own approach to absences, but as Dr. Jeremy Duff once said, “There is a correlation between higher grades and students who come to class.” I won’t lie: sometimes you can’t make it to class and life happens…fortunately, the majority of professors understand that if you just talk to them. Furthermore, there will be those classes where you have to have a triple shot of espresso just to stay awake – do what you have to do, just make sure your behind is in the seat.
FINANCES
What college student doesn’t like to have a closet filled with trendy clothes and a new car right off the lot? Although these and many of life’s other amenities can be nice, they don’t come cheap. If you can’t pay for something with cash, as a rule of thumb, try not to charge it (assuming you have a credit card). If you do have a credit card, keep a low balance and make sure your payments are timely. Any negative actions on your behalf (late or missed payments) will go on your credit report, thus having a negative impact on your credit score.
GOSSIP
DON’T DO IT! No matter how tempting, especially during group projects when tensions are high, do NOT do it. Don’t mention anyone’s name unless you are saying something that cannot be taken out of context and make more issues down the road.
SEX
Always be safe. If you’re going to do it, do it right and what I mean by this is: have fun, communicate with each-other about your wants and of course, wear a condom and get tested regularly. As I have said before, there is no shame in being tested, for it is better to play it safe.
In terms of “Friends With Benefits,” know that although science can’t back this up, nine times out of ten someone gets attached (usually the woman) and gets hurt. This kind of scenario is not like what JT and Mila Kunis had in the movie, sharing the same name. Tread cautiously (and by no means am I encouraging this).
DATING
If you see someone that catches your eye, and you’re at the point where you want to make a commitment, ask them out. Don’t wait around for the perfect moment. This isn’t the Lifetime channel, so work with what you have and wow your potential mate.
My early years of college, I dated someone completely wrong for me. Against the advice of family and friends I continued to pursue this tumultuous relationship, and I was losing myself. So, let me give you the unfiltered and raw truth: you cannot, I repeat, CANNOT change anyone. People can change, sure, but that has to be done on their own accord. If someone is hurting themselves and going down a destructive path, do your best to help them, but at some point (hard as it is,) let go. You can’t save everyone, and you need to think of yourself.
HEALTH
I wish I wouldn’t have had so many venti fraps or large orders of fries and the insane amount of junk food I ate and still eat. I definitely take back the no regrets claim earlier. Looking back, I wish I had better eating habits, even on those all-nighters spent studying (sometimes cramming) for an exam. It is exceedingly easy to gain weight. What begins as a pound here or a pound there quickly turns into 10 pounds and before you know it, you go from a size eight to a not size eight.
Watch what you eat and exercise regularly. Do you have to start bulking up and looking like a humanized version of the Hulk? Absolutely not. But you do need to treat your body right and take care of it. Besides, junk food tastes great, but it just makes you feel disgusting afterward, plus it’s expensive!
GENERAL WORDS TO REMEMBER
Let go of anything that doesn’t make you happy, and always smile. A smile is the easiest way to positively impact yourself and those around you!
In the words of Miss Frizzle (’90s kids should remember “The Frizz”), “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy.” Have fun and try new things, just don’t get too carried away because everything you say and do has a consequence.
