I am the oldest of two children. My family has moved once. I am 18 years old and attending the University of Alabama in the fall. This will be the first time my parents have to move me out of the house, so they will most likely grow a bit more emotional over the next couple of months. However, I could not be more thrilled to begin my college journey. I love my family and friends— I really do and I am going to miss them an awful lot—but I am exhausted with this small run-down town. College is going to be the breath of fresh air I needed to finally become myself. With that being said, I made a list of things to keep myself in check dedicated to the people who held me accountable my whole life.
Note— The views expressed are my own and not the same for everyone reading this. This is more of a self-reflection check-list for college.
1. Do not let me gain the ‘Freshman 15.’
Or 20..or 30… and oh please not anything more than that. Of course I had to put this on my list. In all seriousness, I’d consider myself a healthy eater overall and I’ve really been looking forward to buying my own groceries and truly being in charge of what I can eat. Buuuut, it’s college. I know I’m going to splurge on the after hours $5 pizza with my friends occasionally. “Healthy” food is much more expensive and it’s really easy to blow all of your money in college and eat Ramen every night. Just don’t let me become unrecognizable. And while we’re on the subject of money now…
2. Don’t let me spend/waste all of my money.
College. Is. Expensive. I know you’ve never heard that one before. Clothes, Clubs, Concerts, Classes, Books, Booze (if you’re ‘bout that life) and at my school, Football Games. It adds up alright. And let me just give a quick shout-out to my parents and grand parents for paying for college and the rest of my life up until now: I don’t think I could thank you enough. But come August, I’ll be on my own. I’m an adult and have to eventually make my own money. Thank God for all of those Dave Ramsey financial classes I watched in school, right? But hey, I need to manage my money now so I can enjoy it later. So, parents, if I call you all the time to put money in my account— teach me a lesson. I’ll thank you later.
3. Don’t let me come home all the time.
I’m a homebody, so I’m very much allowed to say this. I need to learn to grow up, become independent, and live on my own. And college was waitin’ on me at the doh. (Sorry if you’ve never seen that Vine.) And don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE being at home and staying in. In fact, my friends made fun of me for it in high school. But I refuse to be the girl who goes home every weekend just because I can and miss out on all the fun college has to offer. TBH it’s ok if you do, you do you. But I’ve lived at home for 18 years; it’s time for me to move on and grow up. On the contrary…
4. Don’t let me be the one who never goes home.
Look, I don’t know what college is going to be like. I may hate it. (Although, I’m sure I’ll actually love it.) But if I happen to love it so much I forget I actually have a loving family that exists outside of a bank account and misses me terribly, come get me in Tuscaloosa and drag me home for a weekend. Seriously, I give you permission and I’ll (try) to pay for your gas. And when I do come home, spend time with me. Take me to the beach like we love to do. Don’t let me dump off my laundry and stay in my room the whole time. Again, I’ll be thankful for it later.
5. Don’t let me become basic.
Yeah.
Thanks Kate Moss. But seriously, I’m rushing in the fall and it’s easy to fall into the ‘typical college girl’ stereotype. If I join a sorority, I will no doubt love whichever one I’m in—but hometown friends, don’t let it be the topic of all of our conversations when I see you. College is a make it or break it point, I have new opportunities knocking at my door everyday. I don’t want to just remember college as one big party and not know what to do with my life after.
6. Don’t let me lose my ambition.
Like I just said, it’s easy to fall into the crowd. Four years can go by pretty fast when you’re having fun and I don’t want to let it pass me by without knowing my professors or grabbing the millions of opportunities I’ll get. I’d describe myself as a very passionate person and I guess I can blame my dad for my big dreams. This is the time I can actually grab the reigns and work to make my dreams come true. Don’t let me lose the spark I’ve grown up with.
7. Most importantly, Don’t ever let me lose my faith.
This one is an über personal one. Pause for a second and let me get a little deep— I am a Christian. (Granted, not the best example of one.) But I believe in God, and that’s what I believe gets me up every day and helps me sleep at night. Don’t stop reading now even if you aren’t, but please, believe in something. Faith in anything is what will keep you going on the days you feel like you can’t go on. Even if I made college seem like a big, wild ride— I know it will be tough some days. In a place where no one cares what you are or what you believe, it’s easy to lose your ground. So to everyone reading this: find a group of people who will keep your faith flowing. Whether it be a church group, campus club, or just a group of friends or mentor to keep you accountable. Whatever you believe now— *cue Journey* Don’t stop believing. Ok I’m done.