Huge Leap Forward: College

For anyone and everyone college should be something you experience. Not staying home and commuting to college everyday for classes like you did in high school, but the hard, fun, shocking, sad, horrible, awesome, amazing, frustrating, stressful, and ultimately worth it experience of living on campus. You'll meet people that you will never talk to again, people you will dislike with every fiber of your being, people who make you think your heart will just cease beating if you never see them again, and people who will be your friends forever all while attending this strange thing called the undergraduate college.

Most high school graduates these days go to college. Or at least, that's what I hear. They arrive on campus to move into their dorm rooms. Most of them still have their families in tow helping out. These high school graduates have just completed something amazing, high school. But oh they are in store for so much more.

There is a pretty noticeable leap in adulthood that has to be made for the high school graduate to become a successful college student. For many, it's the first time they will be on their own. For the first time there is no one to watch over them. It's time to get big or go home.

So some people end up going home.

But even more are able to stick it out and experience something meaningful.

One of the hidden secrets of going to college is getting involved. Whether you're just actively trying to involve yourself with people you now live near or an organization on campus, do it. It might be a little intimidating, but be bold and get out there.

Now, when I went to college I was one of those people who had to force themselves to get out there and meet people. Within the first year and a half I lost 65 pounds, changed my major twice, I had joined a fraternity, joined and left Habitat for Humanity, and joined a professional fraternity associated with my new and current major.

I definitely met people I didn't like, but I met even more that I will love forever, whether or not we stay in touch after we graduate in May. And can I add that it's about time, I've been an undergrad for going on five years now. I'll be focusing on people who have changed my life here at Truman and just leaving all the bad behind.

Till then.