Heading into the holidays, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what I will do when I am home. Going back home feels like stepping back into high school – different friends, hobbies, ways of life. I think I often redevelop some of that younger persona when I am home for the holidays. While I am still the same person as I used to be, being in college has taught me a lot. I am going to spend this blog talking about all the things I thought I knew in high school and what I know about them now (which is still probably not everything I could know).
High School Me: Your family is only the people related to you.
College Me: Going to college is a big change. You are going to be away from your family and living on your own, likely for the first time in your life. This is scary and daunting at first. Over time, you will begin to get closer to your roommates, people in your building, classmates, club members, and more. These people will become your chosen family. There is something really powerful in getting to experience college with these people. They will see you at your highs and lows, as your family did in high school.
High School Me: The only way to succeed is by being the best.
College Me: The likelihood of you being the smartest person in all your classes is low. In high school, you were getting A’s on all your tests and took that as gratification that you were succeeding. In college, this won’t work. Success is not measured by test scores, the number of internship offers, or getting the best research opportunity. Success is something that you have to reshape for yourself. Each person’s definition of success will be different, and you can’t compare yourself to others. You will learn to find gratification in the little things. Maybe your win of the day is making it to class on time while your roommates is getting a good score on a midterm. Both are completely valid wins and shouldn’t be compared.
High School Me: You need to have your life planned out.
College Me: It is ok to not know where you will end up. College will expose you to opportunities you may not have considered before. Don’t close off opportunities just because they don’t align with where you think you will end up. Not knowing exactly where you are going is ok as long as you are enjoying and benefitting from the present.
Regardless of where you went to high school or where you go to college, you are going to learn things about yourself and others that will reshape your views on the world. Make the most of it… and if you learn anything good, let me know… I probably need the help.
