5 Lessons My Freshman Year Taught Me

By Hailey Cernuto

College is one of the biggest changes anyone faces in their life. Moving out of the house, living with strangers, and taking on a whole new course load is a lot to adjust to, especially for a teenager. That said, anyone's first year of college is bound to be filled with valuable lessons that are applicable even after the end of your college career.

Here are the five most important lessons I learned from my freshman year: 

1. Everyone has something going on behind the scenes

There’s always something you don’t know. This is not so much a “lesson” as it is something I always thought I knew but never truly appreciated until coming to college. My first year of college was one of the most unique times of my life. I met so many people that are now such important parts of my life to the point that I don’t know how I’ve made it this far without them. With these new friends, I’ve also been able to fully understand that so many people face their own set of personal struggles every day. So always be kind, be thoughtful, be compassionate, and be patient. 

2. Stick to what works for you 

This one’s a game-changer. A huge part of coming to college (for me at least) is getting to know yourself -- what makes you work the hardest, what makes you the most productive, and what makes you the happiest. I found that I work best during the day. I thrive in the periods between my classes where I can get as much work done as possible, and I’m not productive after 7 pm.  Find what works for you and stick to it.

3. Pay special attention to what you’re enjoying 

I’m about to pick a major, and I’m relying on my memory of my most enjoyable classes thus far to narrow my search. While I never considered English as a major, I’ve come to the realization that I have enjoyed (and greatly succeeded in) every English class I’ve ever taken. As you move forward, be mindful of not only the topics that move you to the edge of your seat but the ones that you think about for a little longer than others. This doesn’t apply just to classes -- if you’re doing something that you really enjoy, keep doing it. From makeup styles to exercise classes, notice the things you like and stick to them. 

4. Listen to your body 

If you have a feeling that something isn’t right, trust that feeling. If you’re too tired to go to the gym but you’ll feel bad if you don’t, skip the gym and rest. One day off won’t kill you. If you feel like you just want to stay in but all of your friends are going out, stay in. I’ve recently resolved some health issues I’ve been facing for a while now and the main reason I’ve arrived at this point and peace of mind is that I spoke up when I knew I wasn’t feeling 100%. No one knows yourself like you, and the best thing you can do for your body is to be cognizant of how you’re feeling.

5. The Freshman 15 is inevitable 

Gaining weight is probably just going to happen. Not ever freshmen will experience this, but a significant portion do, and it's okay. Learning how to live on your own and care for yourself comes with a special set of challenges, and one of those is learning how to choose wisely. Sometimes, it's just easier to order CampCo than it is to walk down to the Spit and make a salad. I took the easy way more often than I would like to admit, but I don’t regret my choices. I learned a great deal about what my body needs, what it doesn’t need, what gives me energy, and more. I used this summer to get back to normal and went into this year ready to make the right choices.