It’s been a long and eventful four years. Now as I prepare for the real world in my last year or college, after all my mistakes and successes, what have I learned?
- Don’t worry about not having a big group of friends (in college and in life) because everyone is usually just as nervous about making friends as you are. In college, it’s simple to just go to a sports game on campus, or get involved in a club to get yourself out there. At the club fair, find something within your major to get started – it’ll set you up with people who are just as excited about your major. You could also venture outside of your major and sign up for clubs that can be an extracurricular for fun. Finding a solid group of friends will seem like a piece of cake once you get started and you just might meet friends for life. Remember that it’s about quality, not quantity!
- Hookups happen – all the time, or as long as your permission grants it. It is a very important lesson in being very picky with your time and who you want to spend it with. Just always try to remember your worth and don’t settle for anything less. Have fun.
- Drinking. Hofstra’s infamous bar strip is slowly dwindling and regardless if it disappears or not, most students find their inner rebel to pregame an entire keg by themselves because they think they’re invincible. If you’re not 21, you shouldn’t be drinking – but if you choose to, have a buddy system, monitor your own drinking and if you get too excited let someone know that you might need help. Pregaming is all fun and games until you “accidentally” forget your whole night. You don’t want to wake up to a novel in your group chat about what you did last night. Still have fun and be safe.
- Go to class. Everyone needs a break here and there, but don’t make it a habit to stop showing up and be that one student who is constantly asking for notes. You’ll grasp the concept better when you’re in class writing down your own notes. Care about class because no one else will for you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help because professors are always willing to explain to students what they’re confused about. It could be useful in the long run for reference letters, internships and networking in your field. Strive for good grades, but don’t obsess. Time manage your studying so you don’t have to learn 25 PowerPoints in one night. It’s an important skill to decide when you will have time for certain things and learn to prioritize what is important now and what will be important later.
Put your best foot forward and take every success and mistake in stride. Most people around you will continuously say “do what you love” because it’s just the common phrase to be told in college. But it comes from people who live “do what you gotta do” lives, so in four years, the best advice I could give myself is to make your life extraordinary – not just in college but in real life.
Need advice? Let us know! Tweet us @HUChronicle or email [email protected] with a question and we may answer it!
