When I was getting ready for college, I had a long list of things I thought would determine whether I was successful or not. I thought everyone would be paying attention to what I wore, how many friends I had, and whether I always seemed busy. I imagined college as one giant performance where everyone was secretly keeping score. Looking back now, I realize most people were far too focused on their own lives to notice the things I was so worried about.
I also thought having everything figured out would matter. I came in believing that the students who already knew their major, career path, and five-year plan were somehow ahead of everyone else. For a while, I felt behind because I changed my mind constantly. But college taught me that uncertainty isn't a sign that you're failing—it's often a sign that you're exploring. Some of the most confident and successful people I know ended up in places they never expected when they first arrived on campus.
Another thing I thought would matter was saying yes to every opportunity. Every club meeting, every event, every invitation felt like something I couldn't miss. I was afraid that if I stayed in for a night or turned something down, I would somehow waste my college experience. What actually mattered was learning what I genuinely enjoyed. The memories I value most didn't come from trying to do everything; they came from being fully present in the things that felt right for me.
And maybe the biggest surprise was realizing that perfection mattered far less than I thought it did. I spent so much energy worrying about grades, mistakes, awkward moments, and whether I was doing college "correctly." Thinking back, I barely remember the assignments I stressed over. What I remember are the conversations that lasted until 2 a.m., the people who made campus feel like home, and the moments when I learned something about myself. The things I thought would matter ended up fading into the background. The things that actually mattered were the ones I never put on my checklist in the first place.
College might seem like the end of the world, like if you mess up a year it’ll be all downhill, but that’s not even slightly true. College is fun and yes this whole blog is embracing the fact of being in college, but at the end of the day it truly is just the idea of getting out there and trying something different. Learning about yourself and growing into a person that you are proud to be. Conquering those fears, and leaving with some friends that you can invite to your wedding one day. College is truly a gift and when you get a gift you don’t stress about how it’s wrapped, you just appreciate what’s inside. Appreciate the experience the world gifted you and cherish every moment.
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