No one ever said that college was supposed to be easy, and if they had, they would have been lying, but as I’ve seen so far, it’s also highly rewarding and fun if you know how to balance work and play. For me personally, even as a sophomore, the experience has been highly unforgettable.
Going out on my own was something I had strived toward for quite a while, coming from a less-than-prosperous family, as many people here have. Neither of my parents graduated from college and they did the best they knew how to, but being a cashier at CVS and a construction worker had not brought in a large profit. And so I was faced with the challenge that has tried too many American families this year: the child paying for his or her own schooling. So, it was off to Burger King for a job and having the common sense enough to rack in as many scholarships and grants as I could. Southeastern, I think, is a wonderful school for people who want to get a good education, even those with limited means, and I’ve found that people get as good of an education here as they put into it. The resources here are many and very helpful, as are the teachers. Yet when I came here, there were a few key phrases I needed to establish in my mind on my own.
The first was “learn to say no.” The fact is that there will always be another party you will get invited to, but that paper has a deadline. And no, you don’t have as much time as you think you do.
The second was “be friendly and open-minded.” You never know who on campus has your same interests, or who you will connect with. Some of the people I never thought I would want to hang out with turned out to be the most helpful to me in my times of need, and the most mature and compassionate. This doesn’t mean expose yourself to things you don’t want to do, but if you’re willing to laugh about things and offer a smile to strangers, you will make friends quickly. Remember that there are people here from countries other than your own, and they all have something to offer as well. Some of the more interesting people I’ve met have been foreigners.
The third phrase I learned, which was a bit harder for me to learn, was said to me by a good friend of mine: “Suck it up, take a Midol, and get to class.” No matter how bad you feel at the moment, it’s your money being wasted if you don’t make it to class, it’s your future being compromised, and it’s your shot being passed by. Unless you’re dying in bed, you can probably get to class, and that’s never as bad as you think it is.
The fourth phrase that I learned was “college is what you make it,” which is completely true to the letter. There are tons of opportunities to join clubs and extra-curricular activities here on campus, and if you have a good attitude about things, 95% of the time, good things will follow. Want to have some fun? Don’t just sit in the dorm, do something you enjoy. In addition, study groups are the best thing since sliced bread.
The fifth and last phrase I’ve learned so far was the hardest for me to stomach. This one came from my family. It was “I don’t care if we’re out on the streets, you don’t quit school.” I’ll venture to say that none of you have perfect families. For me, it was tough to see mine struggling while it seemed like I was living a much better life here on campus. Quitting school to work so your family can make the rent is a choice that many people do make, one I know personally, but it’s never an easy choice. The fact that my parents would not have accepted the money I made had I quit significantly helped me through, which makes my point that you need a family. If it’s not your own family, you need friends to support you. Working every day with no short-term benefit to yourself is one of the most draining things in the world. If you need help, look for it. You may very well be surprised at who is willing to reach out a hand, and who will stick with you. Give love. I guarantee you will get it back in one way or another, speaking from experience. And don’t worry. Things may get worse, but when you do hit bottom, there really is only one direction left to go.
I’d encourage students here to remember that college is an opportunity and a privilege. Education is why people from Nepal are leaving their fiancés and family behind, and coming here to America. Waste the opportunity and you won’t find much on the other side. But also, enjoy yourselves. This is supposed to be one of the more enriching times of your life, so don’t forget it. Offer a helping hand to those who need it, shape yourself into a good person; love and laugh a lot, God knows everyone needs that.