The College Advice I wish I Had Been Told

As the end of summer is upon some of us, I figured that I could throw out some of the little knowledge I've gained over the last "few" years of college.

• Remember that you’re not in high school anymore and that nobody cares what you were like in high school. It’s ok to take good memories from high school with you to college, but make sure not to get caught up in them. You’re going to want to make all new friends and have all new experiences in college and if you stay too attached to your high school experience, you won’t be open to everything that college has to offer. Don’t focus on what made you, you in high school. Figure out what your mark in college is going to be—and figure out with whom you’re going to make it.
• You are not someone's side girl. You are "Main" girl material! It's been three years and I still am grappling with that concept. Please, please know that you don't deserve to be waiting around for his text messages, and you shouldn't be watching him text his ex while both of you are on a date. And if he thinks that you are fine with it, first, get up and punch him square in the face, and to second, get him the hell out of your life. Stop waiting around for all those losers to see how awesome you are, and make time for the ones that knew it the moment they met you.
• Get out there, join a club, do not make CLUBBING a club. I know the alcohol and the bar scene is new and exciting, but be safe and try not to be stupid. You do not want to be remembered as the girl who made out with 12 people in two hours.
• Everyone is probably telling you right now that these will be the happiest four years of your life. What they probably aren’t telling you is that these will also be some of the worst years of your life. In college you will feel on top of the world and utterly defeated (sometimes in the same day). So just try to remember that you’re not doing anything wrong if you’re having a hard time. And before you jump to any conclusions about how much happier everyone else is, and how much more fun they’re having than you, go sit down and talk to a friend. You’d be surprised by how many people feel lost and directionless at least some point in their college careers.
• Trust your gut in all decisions you make. Do whatever YOU feel most comfortable with regardless of what your friends may think. Be friends with everyone and don't stand for "groups" "your crew" "your girls" because in most cases that't just a euphemism for a clique.
• Boys suck. Accept defeat and eat another donut.
• Get out of your comfort zone. Do those crazy "traditions", stay up late watching movies,- not always- host a party or two, and on few occasions get crazy, go shopping cart racing, break into an abandoned building, get wild at the sporting events. Get out and experience new things.
• Show up to your classes. Your chances of actually learning something increases significantly when you go to class. Granted there are a few times you can miss but for the love, don't ditch class when there is an exam. You may have just had the night of your life and don't want to go, please please go to class. Every time I ditched out there was a pop quiz. If you don't pass the quiz at least your attendance grade will help out.
• The hot guys are not always at the library. Date one who are. Date the smart ones that have a good head on their shoulders.
• You cannot read and memorize your text book 12 hours before your final. You cannot retain that amount of knowledge under that pressure. Same goes for all the other finals. It is a waste of time. Balance your schedule out. Make time for some fun, sleep, and study.
• Guys love a girl who knows what she wants in life, who knows how to prioritize. So if he gets upset at you for wanting to study for the test that you have tomorrow dump his **

I wish I would have known this much my first year of college. But these years have been such a big learning experience. I have had some of the best times as well as some of the most heart breaking times. I have laughed so hard with my friends that I have cried and wet myself. I have cried myself to sleep many times after telling my mother that I quit and give up on life. But that right there, calling my mom, has helped me through many of my struggles. My best friend has helped me through some rough breakups. Gah, and the best way to get over a breakup is to cry it out, blow something up, and a good workout. Do not, under any circumstances, go and buy a tub of ice cream and watch anything on the Lifetime station, do not listen to your breakup playlist, and lock up all your sappy love movies- you can watch them on your GNO.
xo,
Mel Flo