5 tips and stories for incoming freshmen
Reflecting over two years of college has been one of the most unexpectedly strenuous endeavors I’ve had to undergo for a class for the entire time I have been at WVC. What I once envisioned as a brief paper to knockout has been looming over my mind as I reflect and contemplate my time as a student. My college experience has been equal parts unbelievably exciting and fulfilling, as well as overbearingly stressful and challenging. I can’t give a basic overview of my time at college through a breakdown of classes I’ve attended, teachers I’ve liked, and random memories. That isn’t the full story.
What I’ve learned through college is that life must continue no matter the backdrop it’s being performed on. College is only a part of your life; it’s a stage in which personal development and experiences form you into who you are. So to say goodbye to my status as a radio/tv broadcaster and student at Wabash Valley, here are some tips to help you stay on the right track in school and in life.
1). COLLEGE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.
This first tip isn’t just for college; most experiences in life can only give you an equal amount of value to the energy you put into it. As unbelievable as it sounds, my complaints of not having anything to do or people to talk to disappeared when I started going to campus events and stopped walking around with my earbuds in. So many of the people I've met on campus have all had wildly different experiences, and it almost always correlates with the amount of participation put in on their end.
2). YOU PAID FOR THIS.
This second piece of advice is a phrase that I’m sure lots of people have run in their mind on repeat. I know I certainly have. While it can be seen as a joke, to me this idea is a key piece of growing up I had to do. Slacking off in high school is a very common experience, but it’s not something that can be done in the real world. As boring as discussion posts are, you have to stay cognizant of doing what’s expected of you. Discipline is a skill that must be refined, honed, and practiced daily to ensure success. If you truly wanted to go through life without having to do math or write an essay, you wouldn’t have spent the money to pursue your education and reap the benefits from getting your diploma.
3). CREATE MEMORIES.
Memories are a currency that buy guidance, experience, and so much more. The only way to gain good memories is to go out and create them. There’s only a handful of things I can even remember about my first semester because I didn’t take it upon myself to make new experiences and memories.
WVC is the place where I found my best friends, fell in love, struggled with mental health and money, developed inside jokes, laughed, cried, and experienced stories I can tell for the rest of my life. And, none of this would have happened if I didn’t take it upon myself to get out of my shell, make conversation, and take chances.
4). TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR OPPORTUNITIES.
College classes are not the same as high school. Classes aren’t just something you take to get a grade; they’re opportunities to create, meet, and expand. As a student who works in a hands-on field, it was highly encouraged that I look into internships and use the technology we have to create. This freedom of expression allowed me to put a level of care that I’ve never had for schoolwork into every one of my projects. I even started my own local music show on the radio, which led me to several amazing connections in multiple local music scenes. While I know my experience is unique, every class at WVC offers real opportunity and connections.
5). YOU ARE WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.
College can be a very difficult experience sometimes. Not everything is going to work out the way you plan. Life happens around you, and school work is still expected to be done, no matter what circumstances you are facing.
In times like these, it’s important to remember that you are doing the best you can. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, everyday is a gift. You always have an opportunity to build and grow no matter what. Getting into college is a major accomplishment, and it’s an environment that can lead to great things if you keep your head high. You can’t make everything happen and work immediately, so remember that where you are today is exactly where you need to be.
If nothing else, I hope these tips are something you can store in the back of your mind as you navigate life and college. I will always cherish my time with this program . Through the ups and downs I have certainly grown and changed for the better through my teachers, friends, and collaborators.
My last piece of advice is supposedly a Chinese proverb that has stuck by me for most of my life. Apply this to whatever you see fit.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.”