Lessons Learned

Hey everyone! So, it's really difficult to summarize an entire semester of college in one post, therefore I'm going to share my top 15 lesson's I've learned.

1.  Relationships are extremely important
Growing up as a military kid, I've learned to make friends easily, so this wasn't too much of a challenge. What came more of a shock to me is just how important the friendships I would create in just a few short months would be to my college success. Your college friends literally become your second family. You laugh with them, cry with them, have serious conversations with them. My friends keep me sane. When I'm going crazy, I appreciate that they are there to bring me back down to earth. If I hadn't built such tight relationships with such wonderful people, my first semester would have been much more difficult. My lows would have been much lower. I am so thankful for the relationships I have and the people God has put in my life.

2. Grades aren't everything
Sure, first and foremost, I go to college to get a degree so that I can be successful in a career and a providing member of society upon graduation, which means grades are important. I'm not discrediting the importance of a strong GPA...I'm just saying that grades aren't everything. There is much more to college success than a solid GPA. Forming relationships is equally important because not only do your friends help keep you afloat, it's important for future employment purposes. It's important to go out and interact with your fellow peers. Go to a party or two, join a club, do something other than just study. I know I learned a lot about time management while trying to balance marching in the band (GO FROGS), my social life, and academics.

3. Just because you don't do well in a class doesn't mean you're stupid
I learned this lesson rather quickly when I started doing poorly in one of my classes. I felt like I was studying my life away and would still perform terribly. I had to take a step back, and through the support of my friends and family, realized that this one "failure" didn't make me stupid and didn't mean I would "fail at life." It just showed me that I'm not going to be good at everything. College isn't high school. I learned that I can no longer expect to be even decent at all subjects.

4. It's okay to change your major
I went in to college determined that I would start a nursing major and finish with a nursing degree. My mom told me all along if I decided that isn't what I want to do that it is okay to change. I swore I would never do that. Was I more wrong! Six weeks into the semester I wasn't doing well in my Anatomy class and I did some soul searching. I don't do blood or anything gross, and I decided nursing just wasn't for me. I had wanted to be a teacher all my life anyway, so now I'm an Elementary Education major and am excited for next semester's classes. Basically, the moral of this is to follow your heart, as long as you have your brain with you.

5. Living with someone in a tiny space is really hard
No matter how good your roommate may be, sometimes living with another person in a 12x12 ft space 24/7 is really hard. I have a good roommate and I still find myself annoyed or frustrated at times because we're two very different people living in a very tight space. Compromise and communication are definitely key.

6. I'm stronger than I thought, and you are too
"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Christopher Robin
My first semester of college has shown me the accuracy in this statement, and you should believe it, too.

7. It's important to accept help
Being stubborn and independent, I rarely ask for help, but I've had to swallow my pride and learn to ask for it, and accept it when offered. That's what friends are for...to help one another.

8. The value of a hug
I know there have been articles talking about the importance of hugs, but I'm going to emphasize it again. When you give a hug, you get a hug, and vice versa. Sometimes, the power of hug is much more than anything wise or philosophical you could say in support or someone can say to you. A hug can really be worth 1,000 words.

9. It's the little things that matter
Whether it's a card in the mail, a picture of your dogs, or someone giving you a compliment or kind word, it's the little things that make a difference. Oftentimes, it's the little things that can make or break a day.

10. Do NOT take small comforts for granted
Wearing flip flops in the shower and showering next to my dorm mates (with stalls dividing of course) having to listen to whatever music they're playing if I didn't get there first really caused me to not take small comforts for granted. Home-cooked meals are another one. Our dining hall is great, but it gets old.

11. College Football is a blast
TCU is in the Big 12 now, and even though their season wasn't stellar, the games were a blast and our school spirit is pretty rockin. I also thoroughly enjoyed playing in the stands and performing on the field with the band. I made memories this football season that will last a lifetime. If you have never been to your college's games to support the team, SHAME ON YOU! Go to at least one game...you won't regret it.

12. Finals Week is insane
A lot of upper-classmen may be like "no, duh...coulda told you that." Well...finals week is just something one must experience for themselves to believe it. Finals week has almost NOTHING to do with how smart you are and EVERYTHING to do with endurance and stamina. I was all out of steam and my exam scores were proof. I laid on the floor too much. The Icepocalypse didn't help either, but that's another story.

13. Sleep is NOT for the weak
Sleep is for the wise. If you don't sleep...it will come back to bite you. Anytime I didn't get enough sleep, my body basically yelled at me and made me want to sleep for the entire week. So...go to sleep at night.

14. Taylor Swift was right when she said "we're happy, free, confused, and lonely in the best way."
That basically sums up my life, and I'm guessing many college students' lives. I'm typically happy-go-lucky, free to "do me," spend much of my time confused about something, and I can get lonely. So yupp...that's pretty accurate.

15. T. Swift was also right when she said "It's miserable and magical, oh yeahhh"
This time of our lives can be pretty miserable...we don't always know what we want or how we feel, and a bad day can seem to be "the worst day of my life," but we're also young and this time is pretty exciting...we're the next generation...the movers and shakers, and that's pretty magical.

Yours Truly,
Steph