It’s been a minute.

The last few weeks have been crazy. I don’t think I’ve posted anything in almost two months. My life is basically a mess.

I got back from spring break and I was hit with paper after paper and test after test. Things finally started to cool down a little, but now it’s the week before finals week. I still have a project and a couple smaller assignments to finish, but after that I need to start studying for my final exams.

It’s just crazy to think I’m almost done with my first year of college. I’ve made some mistakes, but that means I’ve learned some things as well.

If you’re an incoming freshman, these are things you need to hear:

1. It’s OK to make mistakes.

You’re only human, after all. Just make sure you learn from your mistakes.

2. It’s OK to get a bad grade.

It’s not the end of the world. Your grades don’t define you — how you spend your time does.

3. It’s OK to miss home.

Being away from home for the first time is kind of scary. Or at least it was for me. Talk to someone about it — your roommate, a friend, or whoever. It’s not something you should be ashamed of.

4. Make the most of your time here.

Join clubs. Apply for jobs and internships. Network. Don’t just sit around and wait for things to happen to you — make them happen.

5. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.

Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you have to do what — seemingly — everyone else is doing. If it’s not something you want to do, don’t do it. Fight the peer pressure.

6. You can do this.

It may not feel like it yet, but you’re an adult. You still have a lot to learn, but you can do anything you put your mind to.

➳

Thank you for reading! Be sure to keep an eye out for my next post. If you’d like to see more of my everyday life as an Iowa student, feel free to follow me on social media! Go Hawks!

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