As I lay in bed recovering from the plague of flu that decided to cripple my body near the end of finals week, I can't help but be super corny and cliche and well, you guessed it, reminisce on my first semester of college.
Six months ago when I walked across the big stage covering the river center floor in my starch white graduation gown, all I could think about was not tripping and sending my face hurdling for the stage. Quite frankly, college hasn't been much different. That day that I became an Academy graduate I knew that I held the world in my hands, but I still haven't figured out how to not fall flat on my face. (Welcome to life, I guess.) I felt like all of those stupid posters elementary and middle school teachers hung on our classroom walls actually began to speak some validity in my life.
"Reach for the stars."
"Be smart, be knowledgable, be brave."
"Be kind."
"Dream big."
Just a few I remember from various walls over the past twelve years. I took these phrases to heart, and tucked them away in my heart as I began my first semester of college. This is what I've learned.
1. All nighters should really NEVER be a thing. However, when they must in fact exist, you must remember that coffee is a gift from God himself and it is there for a reason. The endless hours of sleep you reward yourself with post-exam are also a gift from God.
2. Living in a dorm will tear your once rock solid immune system to shreds. Sickness will come when it wants, and no, it will not ever be convenient. Learning how to take care of yourself isn't fun, and not having your family there to take care of you immediately isn't very fun either. Regardless, being constantly sick makes your really appreciate being well, and it makes you learn to enjoy (you guessed it, heres another cliche.) the little things.
3. Your family may be absolutely insane. They may even be Hallmark worthy, but being away from them is what makes you realize how much you love them like you never knew you did. Being away from your family for the first time allows you to put the values they instilled in you to test, and allows you to find your own values. Both are part of the gift of a college education.
4. Procrastination. It's a real, breathing, controlling monster. For me, it usually looks like a lot of Facebook scrolling, Netflix watching, laundry folding, (Because yes, I am one of those weird people who actually enjoys doing laundry) excuse making, etc. While it's usually a joke, procrastination will literally ruin your GPA, force you into those dreaded all nighters, and cause you to miss out on a lot of fun stuff. Netflix binges should be treasured occasions, not weekly events.
5. Your real, true friends are the ones:
- Who run to Walgreens to get you medicine when you are sick and then refuse to let you pay them
- Who stay in on a Friday night to watch Christmas movies in October instead of going out every now and then
-Who get genuinely elated for you when you've worked so hard for something and actually accomplish it, because they've been the ones there supporting you and pulling for you the whole time
-Who endure your daily bipolar life plan changes that quickly switch from pre school teacher to missionary to being a doctor on at least a weekly basis
-Who listen to you cry in anger when you are really just being selfish that things didn't go your way
-Who tell you that that boy ISN'T good enough for you
-And who make you leave your bed at 1AM to go get Taco Bell because... well... it's college.
6. Lastly, that it's okay to not be perfect. In fact, it's okay to fail. That's right, I said the F word, FAIL. You won't always make the A on the test, you won't always land the spot you wanted, you won't always be able to do it all. That's the beauty in living a life through Christ. Failing means that you had enough faith in God to do something outside of your capabilities and inside his, and just because God didn't, doesn't mean that he couldn't. Sometimes he just wants you to give him enough trust, so that he can show you it's not the right thing. Failing is a part of life, but the really neat thing is that we have the ability to decide where our failure leads us. We can decide to work harder and do better, or we can decide to let our failures define us. Take your pick, but I'll go ahead and say I think the first choice is kind of the point of life.
Alright, there it is. I can officially say that I did it. I blogged one of those really cheesy post-first-semester rampages, and man it felt good. This post was my way of thanking everyone who has been a part of my life these past few months during such a big transitional time for me. Thank you for being there, for encouraging me, for supporting me, for everything.
I also applaud you if you actually read this entire blog, you rock.
- Katie :)
