If I had the chance to tell the 18-year-old version of myself what to do and what to avoid in college, this is what I’d tell her now.

1. There’s no need to feel rushed or pressured to get involved on campus your first semester.

The first few weeks of college can feel daunting, with lots of new names, faces, and directions to digest. Something that seems a bit counterintuitive to the college experience is choosing not to dive headfirst into a club or organization that might sound really good on a resumé. You have four years to figure out what college experience you want to have, so coming in with an expectation to join ‘x’ amount of clubs isn’t beneficial. I learned that involvement is different from high school in that way, where now quality matters more than quantity. However, I do think it’s important to join at least one organization your first semester to create the foundation for easily creating friendships with people who share common interests (e.g. greek life, student government, a religious group, etc.). From those contacts, there will undoubtedly be insider recommendations on what to do and where to go next based on your interests.

2. Come in with an open mind.

This is one of the only times in our lives where we’re at the same place with people from different backgrounds of the same age, all bound by the common mission of our choosing, to get a college degree. Everything that comes along with this, the different opportunities, experiences, knowledge, and people we are able to encounter, is special. To truly make the most of this, keeping an open mind is necessary. One that doesn’t discount the potential of people who make C’s their first semester, or the person who voices their opinions at least twice every single class. Learn to expect the unexpected and the possibilities will be endless.

3. It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do after college or with your degree.

I don’t even know if I’ll know what I want to do by this time next year. And there is NOTHING wrong with that. A piece of advice one of my great friends Helen relayed to me is that not knowing what you want to do after college is a blessing rather than a curse, because that means you will be open to trying out different paths. You don’t have to have all of the answers, aaaand that leads us to my next point…

4. Use this time to explore different things you’re passionate about and don’t be afraid to take risks.

If you want to learn how to do karate, DO IT. If you want to become a DJ, DO IT. If you realize you don’t like the school you’re at and want to transfer, DO IT. If you want to start your own side business, DO IT. It’s better to fail now than at any other stage of our life because a) people are so invested in their own lives that they will barely notice what you do, b) there likely aren’t any large responsibilities like a spouse, children, or mortgage payment that are holding us down, and above all, c) you very well could succeed at what you set out to do. College is what you make of it, so make the most of it for yourself and explore what you enjoy and don’t enjoy doing!

5. Trust your gut.

An aspect of college that isn’t talked about enough is how we’re thrown in with thousands of new people and countless opportunities that we don’t know much about at first, except for what we’ve heard from others and get to experience for ourselves. If the ‘juju’ of something or someone feels amazing or off, don’t doubt yourself. Those feelings you first experienced will be proven to be true in a matter of time. Neither side of the spectrum will lead you astray.

6. You will not miss out on the best night of your life if you don’t go out one night.

This ties into the concept of trusting your gut; your body knows exactly when you need to take a break. Starting off college I would jump at any chance to go out, but as time went on I felt increasingly burnt out and like I couldn’t juggle other priorities. Honor the feelings of needing to recharge your social battery. There’s nothing wrong with needing to take a step back and make time for yourself. I like to re-frame choosing to stay in as an act of self-care and a way I can put valuing myself at the forefront of my actions. This way of thinking can only serve to help you in the long run by helping your energy reservoirs to maintain a feasible equilibrium. And, if you’re ever afraid that you’ll miss out on something, I always put it into the perspective that if I wasn’t planning on being there in the first place, it was never in the cards for me to have a 10/10 time doing something other than chillin.’

7. Above all, have fun and savor every moment!

As one of my professors once said, “The days are long, but the years are short.” College goes by in the blink of an eye. I didn’t know that life could possibly get this good before starting college, and I’m so sad to have less than a year before I’m out. You’re only in undergrad once, so live it up!

Wishing everyone who is starting college the best of luck with the upcoming year. You got this 😎

💘 Hanna