As I enter the second half of my senior year, I’m spending quite a bit of time looking back at my time here and reflecting on what I wish I knew and had done differently. Here are some suggestions to make the most of your time.
1. Slow down and smell the flowers
You only have four years here. It’s great that you want to do a lot, but don’t forget to enjoy your time in college. Some say they are the best years of one’s life. So, instead of spending time worrying about what’s coming next, looking for internships, your summer plans, or your next paper, take a deep breath and just enjoy the fact that you’ve made it this far. Do something you enjoy, whether that’s with others or by yourself. If it’s cold outside, hunker down wherever you’re living and watch a movie or read a book. If it’s warm, enjoy the nice weather while it lasts! Don’t take the little moments for granted.
2. Study abroad
I didn’t go abroad because of internships that required my enrollment in an American university, but I wish I had. The stories I’ve heard from folks here and other schools who had wonderful experiences studying and exploring somewhere else make me wish I had chosen differently. It’s also nice to spend several months in a place you might not return to for years, or ever, for that matter. Do it. I didn’t and regret it.
3. Take more pictures
Some people take a lot of pictures. I don’t really, unless you count all the accidental photos I take by repeatedly clicking the power button on my phone. Otherwise, I don’t take very many intentionally. But recently, I got to thinking. When I’m much older than I am now, I’ll want to remember what it was like being 18 to 22 years old and the freedom of college. Plus, I’ve done the aging filter on TikTok and apparently it’s pretty accurate. So now that I know what I will look like several decades from now, I will want to remember what I look like currently. No joke, that filter is scary.
4. Prioritize your mental health and ask for help
I’ve experienced waves of good periods and waves of bad ones. When the bad ones start to feel never-ending, it’s important to reach out for help. Maybe it’s here at the counseling center, maybe it’s virtual, maybe it’s back home. Reaching out and asking for help has made me feel much better and allowed me to access the care necessary to improve my quality of life. Also, it’s important to reduce the stigma of mental unwellness. Not everyone wants to admit when they are struggling (I didn’t), but it can be rewarding to know you’re not alone. However, I’ve found that when I am open about needing and getting help, others are too. It can be surprising who feels similarly to you. So for the purpose of helping yourself and getting the treatment you need, reach out.
5. It’s not that serious
This might be an addendum to the first point, but that assignment you think might wreck your GPA, anxiety about being a quiet person in discussion-based courses, the entire book you have to read by next class, none of these things are that serious. I mean, do study and do go to class, but don’t get bogged down by your own academic expectations. It might not be your best work, but as long as you do what you can with the energy you have, you’ve done your best. Sometimes that reading doesn’t get done. Sometimes you have no idea what you’re learning. Sometimes you don’t feel up to talking. That’s okay. There’s always another paper, another opportunity, another chance. Don’t stress the small stuff.
So here are five things I’ve learned over the course of my time here. I hope it helps you, wherever you decide to go next.
