What I wish I knew before going to college
Going to college can be very stressful, it can also be some of the most fun you can have. Learning about who you are, where your passions lie, making friends that may last a semester or an entire lifetime, and for some having the freedom that comes with going into the world are all amazing opportunities. There are so many lessons to be learned, both in and out of the classroom and with this, comes some inevitable mistakes. So in order to avoid some of the mistakes that are the most common, here are some of the major things that I wish I knew before going to college.
First and foremost, higher education can carry a hefty price tag, no matter your views on what college should cost, college in America is likely going to come with some debt. If you are able, going to a community college near you may save you tens of thousands of dollars in loans. Remember to apply for the FAFSA, even if you think you don’t qualify, getting a “no” is the worst that can happen, and receiving the Pell Grant may grant you many semesters worth of tuition coverage. If you don’t need to take out a loan, don’t do it, they are predatory and while that extra cash on hand may feel amazing, it will need to be repaid, don’t count on student loan forgiveness to come back when making your financial decisions. That price tag isn’t just in dollars, it's in time, effort, stress, and so much more. Remember that debt with a plan is a tool, while debt with no plan is stealing freedom from your future.
Secondly, if you are one of the 20 to 50 percent of students that are starting college with an “undecided” major, remember that it is completely okay to not know what to do with your future when you only just graduated high school. Some 75 percent of college students change their major before they graduate, some change their major multiple times, and that's okay! Some issues that can arise from this is that you may have to take another semester or year of college which will carry that financial cost. Even if you are set on your major, remember that things may not always go according to plan, and to be flexible with your career goals.
Third, challenge your beliefs. The infamous quote about questioning everything, includes questioning yourself, being able to think critically will change your outlook on life. Growth is apart of the process, and while it is uncomfortable to change a belief that may have been fundamental to who you were, that growth is what pulls you out of the mindset of an adolescent into a growth positive adult. You don’t go to college just to get that degree, you go to grow as a person, so take as many critical thinking courses as you need. Take that intro to theology, philosophy, improv, piano or whatever else that can help you grow into the person that you are discovering that you are, even if you hate it, you can find comradery among your fellow classmates.
Fourth, make friends outside of your major, an understated aspect of college is the amount of networking that there is. Looking at your classmates and teachers as resources, and being able to be a resource yourself will help you immensely after your degree. From having a friend in accounting who might be able to roughly help you with your taxes, to an actor who is able to help in a project for your class, everyone is trying to define and expand their skills, and you should be too.
Fifth, take advantage of the resources that your college will offer, the library, advisors, fellow students, ETC . The library will often have the textbook you need for your classes without the need to buy it. There are often free bus passes given by the school or your local transit authority which can help cut down transportation costs immensely. Create and update your resume, even if it seems slim at the start, it will grow as you grow and learn new skills in your courses. Join a club or many that interest you, you don’t have to stay in it if you don’t enjoy it, this is
Lastly, any opportunity to learn skills not directly related to your future profession, are chances to learn skills that will help you in the real world. There are often classes or workshops offered that can teach you the basics of cooking, filing your taxes, changing a tire, budgeting, renting vs. buying, and so much more. Fill your spare time with learning rather than Youtube, Netflix, video games etc. as the more you learn, the more connections you make, with people, with your education, in your brain, and in life.