As my last semester at K-State is quickly coming to an end, I find myself reminiscing on all of the amazing, and some not so amazing, memories from my 4 years here in Manhattan. This has me thinking about some of the knowledge and tips I have acquired over my college years and how I should share what I’ve learned. So I decided to compile a short list of some of the 7 biggest lessons I’ve learned in my years and here they are:

Take Plenty of Pictures

Over your time in college you will do and experience so many things. You will also create so many memories and it’s important that you cherish and remember these times. A way that I like to help capture times is by taking so many pictures. My camera roll is filled with great memories that my friends and I have created over the years and I want to be able to remember these times for many years to come and having all the pictures really does help!

Get Involved!

I have to admit, my first year in college I didn’t get nearly as involved in the college as much as I should have. That is until I joined Sigma Alpha and I met some of my very best friends and also was able to grow as a person through activities and events. Now this isn’t a plug for Sigma Alpha specifically (but you definitely should consider joining,) but rather just telling you to find a group you find you like and get involved!

Don’t be Afraid to Go Out of Your Comfort Zone

When I first got to college I was nervous and a bit scared to try and do things I’d never done before. That was until I met a group of friends who were always pushing me to try new things and I learned along the way that it was good to try new things and get out of your comfort zone. College and life in general are always more fun and interesting when you are pushing yourself to get out there and it’s even better when you have a great group of friends to do it all with!

Take Gen Ed’s Before College

Something that we all probably know is that college is super expensive. A way to reduce those costs and to save you time in college is to take a lot of general ed’s before you start college at a local community college or in high school. Even taking classes over the summer at a local community college is a great way to save money and usually don’t take up too much time.

Call Your Parents

Your parents, siblings, and grandparents all miss you a lot when you’re away at school, even if they won’t admit it. It’s important to remember to call them when you get the chance because hearing from you always makes them happy. Technology is a great thing so use it!

Learn how to Balance Fun and School Work

One of the hardest things to learn when first coming to college is how to find the right balance between school, your social life, and work. College is the first opportunity you have where you have this much freedom, but you need to learn how to be responsible with that time. It is possible to find the right balance, but it is possible for sure it just takes time. ​

Find Your People

Now this one is something I have found that can take a little time, but is well worth it. Finding your group of people in college is one of the most important things you can do though because they people will be a big influence on your life and your time in college. When they say you find your best friends in college that is most certainly true and lucky for me I have found a great group of them.

College years are some of the best years of your life so it is important to remember to live in the moment and to enjoy it while you can. This time goes by so fast so take advantage of all the amazing opportunities that come your way during college. I hope that you have found what I have learned over the years to be helpful and take it to heart during your college years.

In Sisterhood,

Claire Zahm