Last year around this time I made a post about 15 things my freshman year taught me. It was a lot of fun to look back at the school year and reflect on what I learned that year, besides all the obvious academic learning.. I thought I would make another reflective post this year, but 10 things rather than 15.
So here it goes, 10 things that I learned during my sophomore year of college:
1. Roommates. From my experience this year, living with roommates is a lot easier if you are already really good friends going into it. By being friends you tend to be more laid back around each other especially when it comes to any dorm/apartment/house rules. My roommates and I share basically everything and it's great. We trust each other to respect our things and give them back when we are done. Clothing was definitely the most popular thing that we shared. I swear my roommates wore my clothes more than I did.
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| Halloween with the best roommates a girl could ask for: Sam, Jill, and Virginia |
2. Procrastination. Waiting until the last possible moment is never ever ever a good idea. Even if you are lucky and finish the assignment on time, procrastinating adds a lot of unneeded stress. College is stressful enough as it is, so there is absolutely no reason to add anymore to it!
3. Relationships. If your roommate gets a boyfriend/girlfriend, you will either see them more than you want to and get sick of couples, which is very likely. Or you will never see them. You mine as well have one less roommate... Wait what roommate?? It can definitely be challenging when your roommate is in a relationship but it's important to remember that it is hard for them too. They are trying to figure out how to split their time so they can spend time with you and him/her. Patience and communication are really important!
4. Workouts. I think it is safe to say that we all know working out is important. But finding a time to actually work out is very challenging. What I learned is to not try to cram in a workout, instead make time in your day for one. I get up a little earlier, work out and then get ready for my day. I choose to workout in the mornings because I know that if I wait I will give excuses as to why I can't workout. For example, I have too much homework, I have to go to work, I just got done with work and I'm too tired. Getting up in the morning is definitely not easy, but having a work out buddy or buddies makes it a lot more bearable. Plus working out with other people helps holds you accountable and encourages you to keep going.
5. Hints. If you are hoping someone will take a hint... they probably won't. I tend to not necessarily come out and say things directly, how very passive aggressive Minnesotan of me, I know. I'll often hope that from the little I've given them they will take the hint, but they never do. So just be straight forward with people, it saves everyone a lot of time.
6. Mornings. Going off of number 4, it's important to start your day out right, not rushed. Freshman year I found myself constantly waking up RIGHT before class, throwing random clothes on and rushing out the door. This year, well second semester, I started waking up early to work out. I know that isn't for everyone and a lot of people aren't "morning people". I wasn't a morning person before this year, either. But for me, mornings became one of my favorite parts of the day. I'd wake up, go work out for half an hour, shower, eat breakfast (which I used to not do), and relax until I had to leave for class. It is really nice starting your day in a peaceful, not rushed way. Try it sometime.
7. Classes. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT stress over acing every single class. You are going to come across classes that seem impossible to pass, you will feel overwhelmed and as if there is no hope. Sometimes instead of trying to get an A in a class you just have to focus on PASSING it. I don't mean that you shouldn't try to do well, and just get by with passing grades, but it is okay to not ace every class especially if it is a class you are really struggling in. I was definitely that student in school who worked really hard to have good grades. I wanted straight A's. For the most part I did with great ease. But once I got to college I realized it was a whole different ball game and I was thrown out into left field totally unprepared. I have had a lot of classes that I have struggled through, barely making it. But I made it. So stop worrying and don't give up.
8. Online Classes. Online classes are the devil. Okay maybe not the devil... But I wouldn't advise taking 3 online classes in one semester because you will probably end up dropping one of them and wishing you dropped a second one. For some people online classes are perfect. Whether they work full time and want to go back to school so they take a few online classes, or they take one or two online classes in the summer when they don't really have anything else going on. But when you are a full time student with 17 credits, work two jobs and have 3 online classes that are demanding the kind of time and devotion as if that class is the only thing you do in life, it gets really stressful and overwhelming. I would suggest that if you have to take an online class only take one or two at a time.
9. New Things. As a freshman it is basically your job to try new things and meet new people. But as a sophomore, it gets a little harder. You have already made some friends and visited local restaurants and explored the town. But don't let that keep you from continuing to meet new people and try new things. Trust me, you haven't seen it all and you don't know everyone... unless you're Kendra, then you know everyone. (Love you Kendra, if you are even reading this.)
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| These goofballs made this year so much better: Cole, Emily, Jill, Virginia, and Shah |
10. Roommate dates. College can be so busy sometimes that you hardly see the other people you live with, so its good to make an effort to plan something just one on one with them once a month. Personally, I love getting some Ben and Jerry's ice cream and then watching a movie together. Other options I really like are baking/cooking, or basically anything that involves food, and doing something outside like going for a bike ride. I try to plan things that are either super cheap or free, because lets face it college students, no matter how many jobs they have, are poor.
Overall, this was an amazing year. I couldn't have asked for better people to have been surrounded by. I am truly, truly blessed. Cannot wait to see what next year has in store. Bring it on!
Love Always,
xo Noelle
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