Back to School Hacks
For all my friends still in their college days... and even those who aren't, you'll find some tips here apply to all of us:)
For the last two weeks, my social media feeds have been chock full of friends posting about their new college dorm, starting a master’s program, or having to wear a different color now that they’ve transferred schools so they have to transfer sports loyalty. I can’t help but reflect back to my college years (not that they were all that long ago) and some of the lessons I learned then, or wish I had. You’ll find a few of those below, in no particular order.
1) Get a library card!
This one is for everyone, not just the college kids. Most people (myself included) forget that most public libraries have all kinds of audiobooks and e-books available for free download, too, so even if you’re not a paper and ink kind of a gal (like I usually am), you can find loads of value. Some libraries also have study rooms you can book, so if you need to work on a group project and you want a change of scenery from campus, it can be a good option.
2) You don’t need to join every. single. club.
Now, I know everyone tells you your resume needs to be full of all kinds of involvement, but let me let you in on a secret: you’ll end up realizing all ten clubs don’t fit on a one-page resume anyway. So, save yourself the stress and pick one or two ways to get involved on campus and commit yourself to those. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
3) Focus on your goals, but not at the expense of your relationships.
Now, some of you don’t need this advice: you naturally prioritize people, so you won’t waste away your college years doing nothing but studying. But, for folks like me who are toxically productive, you need this: your grades matter, but getting an A instead of a B on that exam isn’t worth missing a once-a-year hiking trip with your friends, and winning that one award isn’t worth losing a friend because you never had time for them anymore. This all comes down to balance, and no one can tell you what that balance is; you’ve got to figure it out.
4) Don’t wait to try that one cool restaurant until your last two weeks of senior year, because it might become your favorite restaurant in the whole town and you will have regrets for the rest of your life.
Thai Taste—I’m thinking about you.
At the end of the day, college is a wildly unique period of life where you can explore what you’re interested in, develop new friendships, and learn to figure things out on your own. Soak it in, enjoy the freedom, but don’t forget: every year of your life can be more meaningful than the year before, if you choose to make it so.
Journal Prompt of the Week
For those of you in college, which of these tips will you be focusing on? For those not yet in or already out, how might these thoughts apply to your life in the present?