7 Things I’ve Learned in College That I Wish I’d Known All Along

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1. Finish things.

I’ll bet big money that this article won’t get finished anytime soon, if ever. (It took me over half a year to actually submit this!) People are so full of thoughts and desires that are never reached. This world is full of ideas but lacking in product. You should do your best not to contribute to this problem.

2. Watch your health.

Note that I said health, not weight. Nothing is worse than one day realizing stairs make you tired or the walk across campus feels like an impossible journey. Don’t let it get out of control in the first place. You’ll thank me later.

3. Don’t let others’ opinions bother you.

Family is more important than you realize right now. But when it comes down to it, even their opinions aren’t nearly as important to your life as your own. Make decisions that are best for you and you alone.

4. Be happy.

Sounds simple enough, right? The problem with happiness is that the most trivial things can ruin it. After a while you realize that the great number of small problems make true happiness almost impossible. Keep your problems in perspective and enjoy the good in life.

5. Spend time with those who are different.

Closing the gap between people who are different is important to a peaceful, happy society. By spending time with those different from us, we gain a mutual understanding of one another and all come out better in the end. We cannot grow as individuals without being presented with new ideas. If you’re a Democrat, your Republican friend can help you see a whole new perspective on life. You don’t have to agree, but it’s useful to be able to see the world through another’s eyes.

6. Embrace who you are.

That includes all your quirks. People say you’re too loud? Be loud. People say you are too nerdy? Be the nerd you want to be! Sooner or later you will realize that being yourself is empowering and you’ll regret all the time you spent trying to be someone else. Turns out people will like you for the person you are.

7. Get out there and achieve.

They say what you do with your hours becomes what you do with your life. You’ll sit on your bed, watch too many episodes of Law and Order: SVU, and all a sudden a year has passed with nothing any different than a year ago. Life doesn’t just happen for you. You have to make it happen.