Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • Purchase a Grad Ad
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / A quick lesson in college life

A quick lesson in college life

April 22, 2014 by Ben Todd

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago I was hanging out with my high school graduating class during our spring break trip at the beach. Since that point, I’ve graduated, moved my life across the world, made new friends, gained new experiences and learned a lot of lessons. Here’s a list of things I’d tell my past self if I had the chance in regards to my freshman year.

A quick way to make friends is to jam to some 80s music, and look around to see if anyone else is bobbing their head or jamming on their air guitar.

The best way not to gain the freshman fifteen; don’t go for seconds. Just eat everything you have on the first plate. Also, take advantage of the Rec center; make it your second or third home.

Have the healthy assumption that as soon as you arrive in America, you are an adult that can take care of yourself and no one is going to help you. That way when people do help me do my laundry, move my stuff, drive me to church or lend me spare winter underwear, I consider it a big deal and accept it with the upmost gratitude.

Speaking of winter underwear, don’t forget to pack some winter clothing.

The only justification to lie is when you’re keeping a surprise engagement party a secret from your sister.

Situations go much more smoothly when you admit your mistakes rather than deny them. Nobody wins if you deny your mistakes. This technique got me out of tight social situations more than once.

Listen more than you speak.

Let your actions and words speak. That is how people will see you, no matter what you tell them you are on the inside. You might tell yourself you have a kind heart, but we won’t believe you if you’re dropkicking puppies every Saturday night.

Girls may be getting the talk about staying pure, saying no and protecting yourself. Let’s acknowledge that those lessons apply to guys too.

Being in a relationship with someone opens a Pandora’s Box of possibilities. It can be great, but it’s a double-edged sword.

Look up from your screen; it will still be there after you enjoy the company of the people around you. Those people won’t be there forever.

Lastly, there is no time like the college time. I highly recommend writing your experiences down so you can look back on the memories you’ll make. Your brain won’t stay sharp forever.

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion Tagged With: Campus Life, Column

Other Opinion:

  • My experience back in a fully-opened church

  • We need to continue normalizing mental health

  • Alumni tuition discount announcement could be placed elsewhere

Avatar

About Ben Todd

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / A quick lesson in college life

Other Opinion:

  • My experience back in a fully-opened church

  • We need to continue normalizing mental health

  • Alumni tuition discount announcement could be placed elsewhere

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
17h

"By being back at a church in-person, I saw the body of Christ like I had not seen it before: as a working machine." Read more from Managing Editor Dillon Daniel below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/04/my-experience-back-in-a-fully-opened-church/

Reply on Twitter 1384967677584740353Retweet on Twitter 1384967677584740353Like on Twitter 13849676775847403532Twitter 1384967677584740353
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
21h

The Office of Undergraduate Research hosted the Undergraduate Research Festival in a hybrid in-person and online format March 30. Read more below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/04/undergraduate-research-festival-takes-place-in-person-and-online-for-first-time/

Reply on Twitter 1384914565507559425Retweet on Twitter 1384914565507559425Like on Twitter 13849145655075594251Twitter 1384914565507559425

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

17 hours ago

The Optimist
"By being back at a church in-person, I saw the body of Christ like I had not seen it before: as a working machine." Read more from Managing Editor Dillon Daniel below: ...

My experience back in a fully-opened church - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Regardless of what one may think of the state of Texas opening back up, I believe a blessing that many, including myself, are thankful for is the ability for churches to full capacity within the state. While some stores still count entrants, restaurants require masks and theatres require social dist...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

21 hours ago

The Optimist
The Office of Undergraduate Research hosted the Undergraduate Research Festival in a hybrid in-person and online format March 30. Read more below: ...

Undergraduate Research Festival takes place in person and online for first time - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

For the first time in a hybrid online/in-person format, the Office of Undergraduate Research hosted the Undergraduate Research Festival March 30. While most of the student presentations happened online – either asynchronous or live – some students in the conference were able to present their res...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Residence Life welcomes four-legged friend to dorm

https://youtu.be/zEb-k1Q_XDA ... [Read More…]

  • Wildcats claim Southland Conference Tournament Championship
  • Wildcats claw past the Cardinals in the conference semifinal
  • Top of the Key: Episode 17 – Super Bowl Special

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2021 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved