The Top Five Things Freshman Year of College has Taught Me

As Friday, the last day of blogging, approached this week, I was becoming increasingly worried about what I would post about. It was only during a conversation with my friends tonight that I figured out what I would write this week. As one of my friends took down her photos from the wall of her dorm room, we all discussed how quickly this school year flew by. That's when I realized that college was the biggest "new thing" that I tried this year, and that is probably the case for all of you reading this.

So, that is what I am going to be discussing right now. College. The thing that we all looked forward to for so long, struggled to reach during applications, and finally arrived to on the weekend of August 18th, 2016. This post is going to be a little different, because this time I am doing it in list form. Here it is: the top 10 things I learned this year in college.

Courtesy of Clip Art Panda

1. Independence is the best gift college gives you
   I was terrified of all of the responsibility that would come with being a college student. How would I be able to handle everything without the help of my parents and friends who I had grown up with my whole life? The first two weeks was definitely a learning curve, but now I can proudly say that I can take care of myself successfully without freaking out and calling my mom every chance that I get. If you still haven't gotten a complete grasp on how to be independent, don't worry. All it takes is time.
2. Putting yourself out there is KEY
   Taking a few seconds of courage for my sometimes awkward self to go up to a table in the HUB and ask about the THON special interest organization that they were advertising saved my college experience. My best friend is from Axis, that THON org I saw in the HUB, and so are about fifteen of my other closest friends on campus. If I never put myself out there and asked when Axis's meeting was, I don't know how I would have found friends and experiences.
3. School spirit is a never ending good time
   Penn State could quite possibly have more school spirit than any other high school or university in the world. If you did not attend any football games or tailgates this year, either go to the Blue and White game or get season tickets for next year. It is always fun to celebrate how much you love your school with people who share that same love.
   
   

   

   Courtesy of Fansided

4. Powering through the tough times isn't always easy, but it is always necessary
   Some exams, papers, and projects that we have to do for classes are the worst. I am sure we have all had a few times when we want to do anything other than homework. Or maybe it's a fight with your friend, and all you want to do is complain to your mom about it, except you're four hours away. This year I learned that if you don't take time to get over those things and cope, you'll never move past it and it will start affecting everything you do.
5. Spend your money wisely
   DO NOT SPEND ALL OF YOUR MONEY ON ACAI BOWLS AND BRUNCH AT THE WAFFLE SHOP! Can you hear that quiet sobbing in the background? Yeah, that's my bank account crying about my ridiculous purchases from first semester. Spend it on experiences instead of items that will disappear in minutes or seconds.

I know that those of you reading this can understand all of the struggles and benefits that college provides to you. Going to college can be scary at first, but hopefully, like me, you have ended up loving it. Let me know in the comments how you ended up choosing to attend Penn State and what you think you have learned here outside of classes! WE ARE!