How to Survive College
- ifibeme
- Feb 19, 2015
- 3 min read
I have been living on a college campus for only a semester, but it has definitely opened my eyes. I have learned information from my classes, how to manage time, and how to begin to live on my own. One of the biggest things I have learned so far is how important it is to have morals, especially when you are in a new place with new people.
College is an exciting time, as I’m sure you all have heard. It’s a time to “learn new things” and “be whoever you want to be.” While this is true, it is important to have a strong foundation on a college campus.
Something to remember is that people have different beliefs. Some people may have a different religion, have different views on school, and have different ideas about what is right and what is wrong. It is important to acknowledge these differences in order to understand people. However, these ideas should not influence what your values are. Acquiring a strong morality is especially vital at an early age. Even though I encounter different beliefs, I know that I am strong enough to stay true to myself, as cliché as it sounds.
An example of a different (or lack of) morality is an app called Yik Yak. When I first heard of this phone app, I didn’t know what it was, but I downloaded it because nearly everyone on campus was talking about it. I was curious. For those of you who don’t know, Yik Yak is like Twitter, but the posts are anonymous, and what posts you see depends on your location. Because of the anonymity, many people post “yaks” that can be deemed inappropriate and, to be frank, disturbing, sexual, and derogatory. I was greatly “creeped out” by some of the posts.
Seeing the remarks made me less naïve about college students. Even though not everyone is looking to have sex at college, the media portray that it is a “norm” to have sex. Surrounding yourself with people with your same beliefs can help you stay true to your morals. Don’t let what is “popular” influence your actions. Through some of my experiences, I feel more confident with knowing what is right and wrong. Just remember that something “fun” can lead to negative consequences and guilt in the long run. College can definitely be fun without all of its stereotypes.
If you are starting college soon, here are some tips to help you be strong in your morality and faith:
Be aware that not everyone has the same beliefs.
Don’t change your morals to “fit in” with a group of people. I’m sure you have heard this before, but coming from a college student, I can tell you that your true friends won’t make you change.
Join a club. Join many clubs. Join an on-campus youth group.
Monitor your media usage.
Remind yourself daily what your morals are.
Don’t make excuses.
Remember that school comes before fun.
Have fun.
If you made a mistake, don’t be hard on yourself.
Don’t make the same mistake twice.
Respect others.
RESPECT YOURSELF.
Look at others with kind eyes and a kind heart.
Don’t do anything you don’t feel comfortable doing.
You don’t need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy.
If you are questioning an impeding decision, I think you know the answer.
