Freshmen year of college: Check

This school year has been completely epic. I have grown and changed in many ways, but I feel that is for the better, of course. The fears that I used to have about certain things, especially things that require exploration, are not really existent anymore. This is indeed a good thing, because I have found myself more. I know a lot more about what my views are on things, what I like, what I do not like, and how to protect myself from certain everyday pressures. Here are some things that I learned my freshman year of college that I would like to share. There is no specific order.
1. God is in control, not me.
2. Spark conversations with random people in the elevator, it is a great way to make friends.
3. Explore different churches and ministries.
4. Don’t work for companies who bounce checks, it will result in a heck of a lot of money in returned check fees, and if it happens overdraft fees. (NOT COOL)
5. Do not get a stadium-parking permit, because cars have to be moved for football games and your vehicle is not easily accessible.
6. Never get in a Maple elevator without a phone to call for help.
7. The UDCC is not all that amazing, in fact it is crowded and scattered.
8. If a guy comes up to you at a party and puts his arm around you, give him the number for the rejection hotline.
9. In fact, never go out without a guy friend anyway if you are female, it’s much safer.
10. Do research on whom to vote for, for any type of election. Google.
11. Live in a social dorm.
12. It is good to get good grades, but it is not everything, get involved in things on campus.
13. Take days off, like, Saturday, if possible sleep for half the day.
14. Clean your sheets, try not to be one of those people who doesn’t wash their sheets all year. That’s a tad gross (I observed this).
15. There is nothing wrong with laughing hysterically about simple things.
16. Wikipedia sucks butt, really really.
17. Orange juice causes heartburn.
18. After 6 drinks of tea and milk, do not try to read anything.
19. Beer is definitely an acquired taste.
20. Call your Dad he wants to hear how you are doing.
21. Duck tape is your friend.
22. Befriend a mechanical engineer or two, because they can take things apart, fix them, and put them back together. The best part is, they enjoy doing it!
23. Mountain Dew, glows in the dark, if you put baking soda in it and shake really hard.
24. There is more than just one type of good music.
25. Friends are family, and got your back.

These things may be really simple and kind of reek of the “duh” factor. Still, I learned these things with first hand experience, and enjoyed every minute of it. I will never forget what I experience freshman year, and I am so pumped that I have three or maybe more years of college. Yes, classes can be tough, and make me angry sometimes, but classes are not everything. I can admit I used to think it was all about classes and grades, but it really isn’t. There is so much more to college than grades. I thought I was doing kind of stinky, but then I talked to my adviser who was thrilled with how well I was doing. New take on the whole grade thing has emerged, and I am so glad it did. Allowed me to sit back, and chill, well, one day a week at least.

It has been a good and successful year, and I will take it and the many stories that have come from it with me forever. One too many inside jokes between me and my friends, but that is something that I completely cherish.