Lessons From College

So I’ve been at college at New Jersey Institute of Technology for 5 days now, and I’ve learned more about my life than I ever imagined I would in this amount of time. This post will take you through some of those lesson learned while thanking those who have contributed to these lessons.

First of all thank you to my family. I must start with thanking my parents, Kim and Dave. I’m accused of being spoiled at times, but the love that you’ve given me, be it spoiling or not, has taught me more than this blog will allow me to post. You instilled a faith in me, yet allowed me to choose the life I wanted, and that has taught me more than you will ever know. You’ve given me a wonderful life and I could not thank you enough. Now my grandparents, John, JoAnn, Carolyn, and Al, thank you for the love you’ve given me. You have all shown great faith that has allowed me to grow. To my many cousins, uncles, aunts, and greats, etc., thank you for your support no matter what I decided I wanted to do next.

Secondly, but second because “second the best,” I would like to thank God for the life you’ve given me-from the influential people to the people that seemed to make my life more difficult, from the fun time to the times that I could hardly stand any longer, from the lessons I instantly accepted to the lessons I have yet to accept. You mean more to me than I can explain in human words. And I pray I will be your light in this world.

Thirdly, I would like to thank my friends and blog readers. Thank you for being there even when I’m grouchy or when I just do something completely crazy. Thank you for taking interest in my life and loving me through it all. I wish I could name you all, but know that I think of all of you often and you have all at one time appeared in my dreams (they say you have dreams about what you think of before you fall asleep). I love you folks.

So let’s get to the meat of this.

Lesson 1: Risks are Meant to be Take

This lesson is a thank you to my friends that drag me along around campus and other places that take me out of my comfort zone (which is now in my comfort zone).

Most of you know that I don’t like to ask people questions. I blush and get all sweaty. Then I stutter and get even more embarrassed. I don’t let the feeling you get when you are obviously a tourist or you just don’t know something that some think is “common sense.” Well I learned that it’s okay. I’m a country girl in the city now. I find myself walking around aimlessly and people stare at me, but the second I feel a little lost and I ask, no one stares and no one notices. And who cares? If I look stupid in the city, it’s not like I’ll see the person I ask a “dumb” question to or a spectator that sees/hears me ask ever again. I find myself just doing stuff that I’d never do before college. I just go places with people and go wherever it takes me. I’m willing to take risks now.

Lesson 2: I Always Get 0" on the V-sit Reach, but I'm Flexible

This lesson is a thank you to Megan, Jacquie, and Servants. Megan and Jacquie, sometimes things got off schedule at LTS, especially at academy and some events got moved and missed, but that taught me lessons. And to Trent and Todd at Servants, your willingness to just let God be God at events/trips has taught me to let go and be flexible.

I learned to be extremely flexible at college. At the last second professors will change the book you use, stuff with class, etc. I learned that the way you plan for things to happen, sometimes don't go the way you expect. But most importantly I learned that when this happens it's okay to be upset, but you have to get over it and just go with it. How you react to this stuff shows your character. Being flexible shows that you have good character despite a tough situation.

Lesson 3: Got Friends?

This lesson goes out to my new friends.

So I came into an environment where I knew practically NO one, and the people I did know I didn't have any form of communication with except Facebook. So let's just say I had NO friends. Well I got in contact with one friend and then another, but then out of nowhere (and with being flexible and by taking risks) I made the rest of you as friends. If I sat in my dorm room (and blogged) all day, what friends would I have, except my roommate? I've learned in the past five days that you have to learn to make friends. Your college friends will most likely be the friends you'll have the rest of your life. Well, what can I say; life would be amazing if these are the people I'm stuck with forever.

Lesson 4: The Reoccurring Theme

Well the most reoccurring theme, I think, is being you. Back to the friends I've made, if I were to act like someone else other than me, then who do my friends really love? Would I be their "friend," then? Being myself on campus has been a big part of my life. But who am I? I also find this to be something I ask often. Honestly, I'm not 100% sure. I find myself learning more about who I am every day though. But I do know that I am a Christian T-shirt, athletic short, flip flop wearing Archie. I've, recently, found my adventurous side too. But finding myself and then in response being myself, again, creates character--through honesty, which in turn shows trustworthiness and your respect for yourself and others.

Lesson 5: Are you your Driver or is the World?

Let me clarify the title. Who is in control over your life? Do you control it or does the ways of the world? Do you do what you want because it's what you want or don't you bother because, well, the world doesn't want me to? I've found that the world can get the best of us. We do stuff because "everyone else is doing it." And we are human, so that happens. The thing is you can get back the control of your life, but it takes true control to be in control over yourself. So who is sitting in the driver seat of your life, you or the world? Being on campus around temptations has given me the will to take control of my life, to choose for myself, and to resist allowing the world to get the best of me.