Happy Friday!
So, college. It’s all about learning and stuff, right? Learning how to be a sort-of adult and also learning about a wide range of academic subjects. I thought today we could go through some of the less-academic things I’ve learned so far. Here goes!
- A lot of people are actually looking for help.
This is actually pretty important. I feel like students have a reputation for being cutthroat and competitive, but really, everyone wants to make sure they’re doing the calc homework right and that their argument in class made sense. We’re all here to learn, so none of us has already achieved expert status. Basically, nobody is perfect and no one (okay, most people) will not judge you if you ask to join their study group or (in real life) ask a question.
- A lot of people are actually also willing to help.
The number of people I have seen willingly sacrifice their time to make sure someone else understands something is incredible. If you aren’t an expert, someone is. And if you are, maybe you could help someone who isn’t?
- Everybody appreciates cheap (or free!) good food.
Really, and it will make you friends. Between “study breaks”, $1 milkshakes, cheap(ish) local restaurants, and care packages, you can bond with entirely random people over food.
- People want to talk to you.
I think a lot of us have this idea that, given the choice, people would rather not be bothered. Ever. I’m not saying that everybody wants to stop and chat with strangers. I am saying that if you walk up next to someone and ask how his day has been, he will probably smile and be happy that someone asked. That girl walking back from econ might want to tell you that she had the best.day.ever. Or, your coworker might want to unload all his stress on someone. Either way, people like making connections (and talking about themselves 😉 ).
- Stress-eating is fairly normal. It’s not fun, but it’s fine.
I sat down to write my first response to anything in college ever and demolished a package of Oreos. Sat down to write my first real paper and demolished, like, a whole bag of Hershey’s Special Dark Kisses (if you have to choose, pick the Oreos – you don’t feel as bad for as long). I woke up to my roommate stress-eating Ritz crackers and chocolate-covered espresso beans. Goldfish are also common among the college set. We all do it and complain about it and try to make sure it only happens occasionally. Really, you don’t feel so great afterward. But you live.
- I do not operate on a normal college-student schedule.
I wake up early of my own accord and am productive during breaks throughout the day and then I crash pretty early. Sometimes, it sucks because people are doing stuff and I’m… sleeping. But the key is knowing that part of life is figuring out what works best for you, and trying to do that as much as you can (with some necessary flexibility).
- Home is another word for a happy place.
From the moments where the campus looks so gorgeous I can’t believe it’s real to the ones when I’m all cozied up in the library or my bed, basically I’m really happy here and it feels like home. And that makes sense, yeah? Home is where you’re happy. Maybe there are a lot of “homes” for any given person, then, but I’d certainly be willing to buy that argument.
What have you learned lately?
Where all are you at home?
