If you had the chance to go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?
Lately, people have been saying to me “If I could go back, I would do a lot of things different.” Which made me beg the question, what is it that I would go back and change or wish I knew when I was younger.
Of course the ultimate answer is, I wouldn’t go back and change anything. Every wrong step and misjudgment has led built me to where and who I am today.
However, there are a few things that I wish I would have known:
1. This Too Shall Pass- Wise words my mother has always told me, that have repeatedly rang true throughout my life. When things are bad, remember it won’t always be like that. Just take one day at a time. When things are good, remember it won’t always be like that and enjoy the moment to the fullest.
2. Be Selfish– this is the only time in your life that you can be completely selfish and no one is going to question you. Stop basing your choices off of the cute frat boy you are dating or your best friends expectations. Take the time to get to know yourself and build the strong foundation of who you are. You are definitely going to need it down the road.
2. Worrying Gets You Nowhere- yes you have tests, essays and projects. Parents who are on you about making good grades and getting a job. Best friends, frenimies, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends and moving up the social ladder. Believe me everything will work out how it is suppose to. So don’t worry if Jimmy is talking to Sarah or if Bob didn’t call you after your date last week. A few years from now it won’t matter.
3. Pure and Simple: Have More Fun– oh what I would do to go back to college and just enjoy it! Yes, I had great times in college but they were always clouded by little things stressing me out and worrying about where my future was headed. Just live in the moment, laugh, make jokes and enjoy yourself. Life is short and so is college, so live it up!
4. Quit the Quest for your McDreamy– truth is you can’t find your McDreamy until you go through all your McSteamy’s and find what you like/don’t like and who you really are (if you don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy- you don’t get your Prince Charming until you go through all your frogs first). Don’t waste your energy on finding and pursuing a relationship, spend it on having a good time, making friends and memories and eventually the relationship will find you.
5. Actually Pay Attention and Study in School– yes this sounds dumb but its the truth. Most of us go to class, take notes, study and pass a test at the end of the semester, only to forget everything we studied. Believe me in the fact that after school, one way or another, you will wish you had actually learned the material.
4. You Will Get Out What You Put Into It– this was something I was told by a sorority adviser in college and it couldn’t be more true. Become the person that is always willing to go try something new, meet new people and give the extra effort, you won’t believe what you get in return.
5. Start Taking Care of Your Body NOW- It is a beautiful thing having a racing metabolism at a young age. You can eat Krispy Cream donuts at 4am without feeling the excess giggle for the following week but believe me that will not be the case forever. Girls that are only eating and an apple and peanut butter for the entire day, you are KILLING your metabolism and will have to fight to gain it back. So EAT just EAT wisely! Start the habit now, so when you are 30, you are still healthy and fitting into those skinny jeans.
9. Find an Escape– yes, your first question is, “When in the world am I going to find time to do that.” Make time. Find something that isn’t school or work related that makes you happy and helps you escape. Start working out, pick up running or tennis, start a blog, paint, write, join a volunteer group etc. From here on out your world is only going to get more chaotic and stressful, so finding a simple way to escape is better learned now.
10. INTERNSHIPS ARE KEY– unfortunately, your college degree is only one check mark on the many things your future employer is looking for and internships are your key into any door you are hoping to open. So, although a summer of laying at the pool and working a low key summer job sounds ideal, taking internships, networking and learning everything you can about the field you want to enter will make your life A LOT easier after school. So suck it up and put yourself out there.
Most importantly dream big and work hard and you will get to where you want to go!
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