It’s been exactly 5 years since I was moving into my college dorm, thank God for Facebook memories because honestly, I probably would have never remembered that without it. So, in light on that, I thought it would be a great day to tell you what I’ve learned over the last 5 years. Okay…maybe I don’t have time to tell you EVERYTHING but I’m going to at least tell you the top 10 life lessons I had during this season of life.

Dorms are disgusting: I had a great roommate freshman year, and let me tell you I literally have met some of the best friends I have living in the dorms. I had the best neighbors, and across the hallmates but even all these wonderful things made me realize that dorms are the WORST. You’re crammed into a tiny space, it’s constant breathing down each other’s necks, and if that isn’t enough let’s talk about the public restrooms. I learned that not everyone is generous enough to not be disgusting, from people literally “relieving” themselves in the ONE drain shower, to loud public outings, the dorms still haunt me.

Appreciation for the “easy” classes: I remember thinking to myself, “this is ridiculous, why do I need an art credit I’m not ever going to be artistic” I held that mentality with several classes I had throughout the years. Until I figured out I actually liked those classes and they took little to no effort. It was a way to escape the wrath of statistics and economics, while still working towards a degree.

You’re PROBABLY going to change your mind: I actually don’t remember what I went to college for, in fact I think that my first semester was spent undecided. I knew what I was good at went I left home, I just wasn’t sure how to make anything a college career. I jumped from an English major, to a journalist, and eventually I settled down with a degree in Public Relations. When I left for college I didn’t even know what PR was.

Balance: College was the time where I learned how to balance the most in my life. At some point I had 4 part time jobs, and I managed to take 16 credits. I would bounce from the supply store, to class, load hay, and still get to the nursing home for a graveyard shift. I never failed a class, and I never felt like I really fell behind. Senior year I managed to work a full time internship, and take 27 credits, maybe I didn’t balance sleep in as well as I should have but I got it done. I also maintained a social life during this time, I made time to go snowboarding, hunting, floating, fishing, and maybe even a little social drinking. I realized your life can be completely chaos, but you still should embrace all things.

You’ll appreciate your roots: College exposed me to so many different people and things, but more than anything it made me appreciate my roots, and how I was raised. If there was one thing that I realized it was that my parents did a pretty okay job co-parenting me. I never felt lost, they made sure I had a good head on my shoulders, and I survived it. Yet, being away from home, makes you miss where you grew up, and it certainly makes you appreciate all the things you took for granted while you were growing up. Seriously, I still call my mom to ask her if she wants to come help with my laundry, and if I’m sick well my stepmom is definitely getting a call. My parents have all played an important role in raising me, and this is where I figured it out.

This time only happens once: As soon as my senior year hit I was chomping at the bit to get to college. When I was in college I was chomping at the bit to finish. I completed college in four years, and it feels like it was such a brief moment of time, I probably didn’t take enough time to really embrace the life changes.

How to survive on only coffee: They say college is your best, and brokest years of your life. My stepdad once informed me that the only thing he had in his house to eat at one point was grapenuts, and a can of ragu, and if you’re hungry enough well you’ll mix that up and make a meal of it. It’s true, all the money I made juggling work went straight to my tuition which is fine, I survived without these giant student loans to pay off. All the leftover money I made went to rent, and to having fun. Sometimes you have to decide between fun, and food…choose wisely. I’m here to contradict everything you’ve learned about nutrition and tell you it is possible to survive on just coffee, and when you aren’t surviving on just coffee I promise you, it’s going to be a big lifeline.

Some friends you only had because you saw them daily: Some of the friends I thought were lifelong friends I only had because I saw them daily, and that’s okay. The important friends you made in high school will still find a place in your life. They become low maintenance friends and you’ll pick up right where you left off. The ones that no longer make time for you speak for themselves. You’ll also make room for some of the best people you’re going to meet. Also making friends as “adults” is WAY more exciting.

When avoidable, don’t buy textbooks: yes, you do need textbooks for class, but seriously if it ever is an option rent the books, or borrow it from a friend. Every time I bought a $200 text book that I’ll never use again after class, and the bookstore wanted to offer me $1.76 to buy it back, I wanted to die. As often as possible find a way around buying textbooks, because the next thing you know you’ll have a bookshelf valued at $25,000 you have to look at every day.

Take care of yourself: The freshman 15 is so real, yes have fun but take care of yourself. Try to balance your diet, avoid gorging yourself on gin, and chipotle. Take your vitamins, and any medication the first sign of a cold. This stride of life is too short to be spending it sick, and muffin topping all of your clothes, take it from me! Find the gym while you’re at it as well. Although I didn’t escape the freshman 15, the gym definitely helped me keep my sanity.

These are the top things I learned during my college career, of course I did get educated and learned all of those important things as well but I feel this blog would be incomplete without giving you the small life lessons I learned without detail. 20 things you have to learn the hard way in college.

When nothing goes right, take a nap.

Attitude is everything.

If you think you can close down a bar at 2, and function properly through 8a.m. Econ, you’re probably wrong.

Studying, and alcohol is never a good mixture.

Neither is alcohol and good decisions.

Learn the fastest walking path from the bar, to home….while sober.

Partying once in a while is okay, partying Wednesday-Sunday is not.

You’re going to hate some of your professors.

Mental breakdowns are unpredictable, and surprisingly common.

All nighters are inevitable in 4 years.

Three 5 hour energy’s, two espressos, and one halfway decent meal replaces about 9 hours of sleep.

You actually HAVE to study to pass.

Drink plenty of water.

Don’t start a 40 page thesis the day before.

Never turn down a free meal.

The best memories, sometimes leave the worst scars (and doctor bills).

Red Bull and coffee seem like a good idea at 4 a.m. but so is sleep.

When in doubt cite it out. SERIOUSLY learn to cite everything.

These years can be lonely, do your best to make sure your new friends don’t feel that way.

It’s more than a piece of paper.

Until next time,

Julissa Marie