Above you will see me on my college graduation day. Rah Rah TCU! I am all about pulling the old awkward pics off Facebook these days. For more mid 2000s goodness, see HERE.
Anyway, since I am talking about college today, I thought I would go back and find the very first picture of me ever posted on FB to provide some lovely college-esque photography for this post. Fittingly enough, the very first pic ever posted of me – or at least that’s still up on FB – is at my college graduation. These are some of my friends. Most of them were also seniors that same year, but I graduated a semester earlier than everyone else {thank you high school AP credits that saved me over $10,000}, so I pretty much got to be the star of the show on that chilly December day. Do I look swollen to you? I think I look swollen…
But this post is not really about my college experience or to figure out whether I was overweight, bloated or if I had just previously been crying when this photo was taken…
Tonight I have the honor of speaking to a group of college students who are Young Life leaders in Scottsdale. Most of them are freshmen in college and our area director has asked me to come and give them some advice on how to succeed in college. I have some ideas on what to share, but I haven’t really had a lot of extra time these past few weeks to craft a big, fancy talk with lots of pointers.
Here is where you come in… if you had to give a college freshman one tip {or more} about how to thrive in college, what would you say, knowing what you know now?
I want to focus on three areas: succeeding academically, socially, and spiritually. So what would you say for each of these? Please tell me below and I might use some of your tips during my talk tonight.
Thank you and love you, sweet friends!
Okay, I couldn’t resist one more… here I am at a “thrift store prom” party.
When I first went to college I went as the girl who had never done anything besides school and work (I never even dated!). So once I was "free," I went completely nuts!
I stayed out all night, every night, partied my ass off and flirted my way into far too many potentially hazardous situations.
Needless to say I ended up failing out and moving home where I became a hermit for another two years.
So my tip would be to take things slowly and not jump into every activity you see, because BALANCE can be a lesson hard learned. In the end, it doesn't matter if you were the life of the party, because the people you partied with are all either deadbeats who couldn't care less how your life turned out (because they don't care how their own lives have turned out), or successful members of the working class who have made better memories than who could do the longest keg stand.
It probably seems like no-brainer advice, but I surely wish someone had warned me of what could happen!
What a great thing you're doing tonight pretty girl!! Did someone named David ask you, or was a part of asking you, about coming to talk to these students?
I would say that to a tip for them to succeed academically is to stay on top of all their work. I found that if I kept putting things off till the next day, the weekend would soon roll around, and I was not always concerned with finishing up "quality" work. I mostly struggled with this my freshman year. I never slept because I was bad at procrastinating to the night before. My grades reflected it that year!
As far as socially… you could tell them to choose friends wisely. There are going to be so many new people that come in and out of their lives their first year of college…and some will positively impact them, and some will negatively impact them. It is about figuring out who are the friends that will help you grow and be closer to God and who are the friends that will drive you further from Him.
I found it so hard to have a relationship with God my first year of college. I would always pull the "there is no time" or "I am not at home. I don't have a church to even go to if I wanted to." I would encourage them to get involved in a Christian group on campus and look into nearby churches to try out until they find a good fit. It will require some effort and vulnerability…but it will be worth it in the long run! 🙂
Hope that helps!!
I really struggled to do homework in the evenings at home. So – I either had to do it in the morning, with good light (so as not to snooze reading all those chapters of reading!) or go somewhere quiet like the library. Starbucks never worked for me because it was full of people watching. If you schedule "reading/studying" into your schedule, just as a class schedule, it is easier for it to become habit. (Like 9-11am on Wednesdays – study/read). I breezed through high school really without studying and so it was a hard concept for me to learn how to do it correctly.
That is such a great opportunity how exciting!
I'm currently in my second year of college so I think so tips I have learned in the last year are academically that it is important to do your best in every class even if it's not for your major because GPA really does matter. Also that it's okay to switch your major. I'm on my fourth change and finally found something I love. As far as socially I would stay true to yourself and also remember who helped you get to where you are. SO many people want to forget about everything from high school but those are the friends that have always had your back and it's important to not forget that. Spiritually I would say find a church. That was my saving grace last year. I go to a Christian school and without that church I would be lacking in my spiritual life so much. I hope that helps a little bit. Good luck!
I think it's important to just TRY things. I'm talking organizations, classes, student groups. Do anything you might be remotely interested in. I'm a sophomore now, and I'm realizing just how important and unique these years are. I won't get to try half as many new and fun things once college is over.
That said, be sure not to do things just to say you did them. Try it once, but if it doesn't make you happy, don't feel pressured to do it just to be 'involved.' There are SO many great and fun ways to be a part of your college community, there will ALWAYS be something else to pique your interest!
Let yourself find your true passion. Take risks!
What a great opportunity!!!!! I would say – stay balanced. Don't forget GOD, he will keep you grounded.
Join a community!! Whether it be a sorority, student government, or other organization with people of like-minds – join it! This is your chance to invest in the lifelong friendships that can be had in college. Yes, academics are important, but college is SO much more than just school so my recommendation is get involved, put yourself out there and join a community!