Everyone seems to have a list of advice for the college freshmen.
Here’s mine, for anyone in college:
1. Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Just because your professor said it or it’s printed in a book doesn’t mean it’s true. Don’t allow your mind to go into neutral and accept everything. Check other sources. After you read other points of view, you can come to your own conclusions, which may be different from your professor’s. It is especially important to be a critical thinker in the social sciences.
2. Your parents are not complete idiots. Sure, you are over 18 and can make your own decisions. You may not think your parents understand you, but having lived with you all your life probably gives them at least a little bit of insight, don’t you think? They probably know you better than you think they do. They probably love you more than anyone else. Who else would be willing to pay for your college education and give up their lives for you if need be? Consult your parents and you may find some nuggets of wisdom from them.
3. Just because it’s fun doesn’t mean it’s right. Partying all night and messing around with your boy/girlfriend may seem fun, but there is a thing call morality. Some thinks that is old-fashioned, some say right and wrong is all relative. But here is a good litmus test: imagine yourself as a parent 10 years from now, and your daughter or son is doing what you are doing now, would you be ok with it?
4. Going to classes does mean for something. In college, no one takes attendance, and no one cares if you go to class or not. If you think you can just read the book on your own and do not bother to wake up to go to class, then why bother paying all that money? You are not spending money and time just for the content or the diploma. The life experiences of the professors and the interaction with your classmates are a part of the education that you are paying for. That intellectual stimulation available in a college environment will prove valuable.
5. Don’t commit yourself into an exclusive relationship. While college is a great place to find your future spouse, it is also the stage of life when you experience the most changes. The person you are today is not going to be the same person you will be when you graduate in 4 (or more?) years. That guy/girl you like today will also change. Cultivate friendships in college without making a commitment. Getting to know various people will help shape who you are. I dated someone for 3 years, everyone thought we would get married. But after we graduated, we split up because we were no longer compatible.