Life Lessons I Learned in My First 2 Years at College
My dorm room sophomore year
I have had a wonderful first two years studying at Fordham University. I have learned more about what I want to do with my career than I could ever imagine and made wonderful friendships, I have also learned many life lessons in just two years.
It is okay to not have a completely clear idea about what you want to do in the future.
I applied to college as a political science pre-law student, but shortly after changed my major to journalism with a minor in fashion. After my first semester, and a journalism introduction course, I realized journalism wasn't for me and that I was more interested in marketing/public relations. I found the digital technology and emerging media major offered at my school, and realized that pairing that major with minors in fashion and marketing would give me the exact education I wanted. I was so stressed my freshman year, I felt like I needed to know exactly what I wanted to do the moment I moved in. However, I came to realize that college is a time of learning and growth, you are allowed to not be sure what you want and to change your mind!
Friendships show up when you least expect them to.
I always thought I would meet my absolute best friend on the first day of orientation and that would be it, I was wrong! While I met so many kind people, who I am still friends with, my best friends are all people I met in classes and at club meetings. So many people seem to find their ‘group’ immediately and that can feel really disheartening when you don’t. I have learned to not force friendships out of fear of not having my ‘group’ within the first year of being at school and letting friendships form in their own time. I am so beyond grateful for the friendships I have and I cannot wait to spend the next two years with them!
Take care of both your physical and mental health, it makes all the difference.
My freshman year of school, I did not pay much mind to taking care of my health and I really suffered because of it. I often felt unhappy and anxious, it wasn't until the summer break that I realized that most of it was due to the unhealthy habits I picked up. It is so important to eat healthy (ie. do not eat 2 tubs of ice cream in 5 days…) and listen to your body. Take breaks from homework when you feel overwhelmed to listen to music or watch a short episode of a show you love, it is okay and necessary to take mental breaks! Try to work out every day, whether that be a little bit of yoga or a full body workout. Taking care of your physical health helps your mental health, and vice versa. Staying healthy, in every meaning of the word, will make you happier and more motivated!
No one will care about your career as much as you.
I know this may sound harsh, but it’s true! We live in a highly competitive world, which means you have to work for what you want. Do not be afraid to apply to every internship you want, reach out to alumni, and make connections on LinkedIn! While college is a wonderful time to enjoy your young adult years and make great memories with your friends, it is also an opportunity to get ahead in your career. While you shouldn’t constantly fixate on your future and ignore the time you have in college, you should always work hard and keep an eye on your goals.
