young, dumb, & twenty-ish

I wanted to dedicate this post to all of my friends who read that are seniors this year. The time is coming for you guys to make some serious decisions, and I know I’ve only been in college for a semester, but I wanted to share some advice I have learned and some things I wish I did differently my senior year.

1. I think I’ll just start with the most important thing I’ve learned: Be financially smart. I’m so serious. Everyone, and I mean everyone warned me about going out of state for college because of the expenses. I disregarded it because at the time I felt confident in my choices. I was excited about the change and everything the school had to offer, so I really dove head first into this situation. Don’t get me wrong, I have no regrets, but if I could go back, I would definitely be a little smarter. If you worked hard all throughout high school and you have the opportunity to go to a very nice school in state for $5,000 a year– think twice before you pass it up.
2. Do not follow your friends, and especially do not follow your boyfriend or girlfriend. This is obviously quite a situational statement, but I feel like I can never condone this. Considering only one other person from my high school goes to my school, it’s been such an amazing experience to branch out from those relationships and move on from that part of high school and focus on meeting new, wonderful people. However, me and my best friend from high school still managed to stay best friends, so I can say without a doubt the people that are meant to stay with you through this journey will, regardless of the distance. Make choices for yourself.
3. Take the random classes that interest you. Considering I have no specific major, at the beginning of the semester, I wasn’t sure what classes to take. I know I have a passion for theatre even though I don’t necessarily want to major in it– so I signed up for a class called “Theatre History,” and it actually ended up being my favorite class. I wasn’t sure at first, because I had no idea how I could possibly get credits for this random class, but you will get the credit you deserve for passing the class. Take something fun and interesting, especially your first semester.
4. Apply for scholarships. There are tons of applications that were literally handed to me in high school, all I had to do was fill them out. It took me almost no time. When you are officially enrolled in the school, check out their private scholarships on their website. Take a look at FastWeb and apply for as many as you can. Get started early and make mature decisions.
5. You do not have to know exactly what you want to do. I still have no declared major, and I don’t plan on declaring a major next semester. I still don’t even know what school I’m going to be at next year or what career choice I want to make, or even what classes I want to take next semester. You’re not going to have it all figured out, even if you think you do. Your game plan will change within the first month, I guarantee it. Don’t stress about it, go with the flow and take it day by day.
6. Everyone’s road is not the same. Do not judge your peers for the choices they make regarding their future. College isn’t for everyone. Big, fancy universities aren’t for everyone. You can get the same degree at a community college that you can get at University of Georgia. You can take gap semesters or gap years and you can get your degree when you’re sixty years old if you wish. Go at your own pace and trust the process. This phase of your life is about making mature decisions for yourself and having the confidence to start your own life.

Remember these things as well as what your parents have probably already told you. The tour isn’t everything. Budget your money. Use your meal plan. Call your parents. Don’t lose your values. Trust yourself and your decisions. Go to class. For real.

— mal