6 Things I Wish I Knew as a Freshmen

It is OK not to do everything. There are so many resources and opportunities on campus that it’s understandable not to know where to start and/or to take it slow.

1. It is OK to not listen to others. You know yourself best, and if someone else’s advice or words of comfort doesn’t feel right, then leave it be. It’s great that others want to help you, but that doesn’t make them entitled to force you to follow their advice.

2. It is so, so incredibly OK to be alone. If you really cannot be alone/by yourself, then I think it’s worthwhile to ask yourself why.

3. You never ever have to explain yourself to others, even if they ask. It’s OK to open yourself up only to people who deserve to listen to you. That is time and energy that you put into articulating your thoughts that might already be tough enough to deal with, let alone verbalize.

4. Life will probably never give you definitive answers. Grades and scores become transparent, false answers once you realize how trivial they are. Nobody can tell you what’s best for you either. Trust yourself and your decisions, and do not depend on others to validate either of those.

5. Sometimes you just need to experience something--even if it turns into a shitshow--to catalyze your personal development. All of my words might mean little to nothing until you actually experience it for yourself, so until then, just enjoy the ride and learn from what happens.