Time to Grow Up? Things I wish I would've told myself.

  It's been quite a while since I posted! I have to say, a majority of the reason (aside from the last minute assignments that senioritis has not stopped me from completing) is my recent whims of adventures and outings, as well as planning my much anticipated graduation! Four years have come and gone so quickly, and it's been quite the ride. I feel like I sound like my parents (every young adult's nightmare) when I say that I blinked, and it all passed. Except, in the intermittent moments when my eyes have been open, there have been memories, life lessons, and moments that have been worth keeping. So, like every sappy Senior Seminole, I have looked back, and thought "Amanda, if you could speak to 18-year-old you again, what would you say?" Here's what I've come up with:

Amanda,
     Admit it. Your parents were right. Just accept it now, because as time goes on, this concept is going to prove even truer. Time, it just passes so quickly, and you're not even prepared for all the memories you're going to make! This is going to be the wildest 4 years you will ever have, and there are so many moments that will change you!

1.Tailgating is a thing. Arts school didn't prep you for that, but people love football, it's pretty much a religion (and no they don't watch the game just to cheer on the people on our team, so you should probably figure out the game.

2. There is nothing like dorm life. Sharing bathrooms, and using a sink as a bathroom/kitchen sink is simply a tool to build character (or so I've convinced myself.)

3.You should probably take advantage of a free gym membership, it's the last time that'll ever happen. Except for hospitals that have gyms inside of them for their employees, and let's be real, that's not happening on your days off. Take advantage.

4. Despite what you think, people don't care what you do. This is your chance to be completely who you are, or listen to the wrong type of music for a while, and maybe follow a fad that doesn't necessarily have it's way of staying in your future (a.k.a. the bows you're wearing in your hair won't stay there forever, so be thankful for that.)

5. People speak slang. Always in all ways. No matter if it's people preaching "Wild and Free" to "YOLO," it's basically a perpetual anthem to do what you want, whenever you want, because you're young. But let's not say those terms, to be on the safe side.

6. Fruit being soaked in a clear liquid is NOT nutritious. Don't listen to the DJ, it's a ploy, and when your headache wakes you up tomorrow, you'll realize why.

7. The "band" kids are some of the coolest kids you will ever meet in your entire life.(MCATDT)

8. Despite what your first two years have trained you to believe, knowing everything about every single class is not the end all be all, trying your best is.

9. Dressing scantily is not the trick to having fun while going out, dressing comfortable is. Every girl goes through this, don't be ashamed, unless you're walking in shame at 1 in the afternoon, then maybe feel a little shame. (This too shall pass.)

10. Sunday mornings/afternoons with your friends, re-living the events of the week, are one of the greatest memories you should treasure.

11. Despite what you think, being considered "nice" is not a curse, it's a blessing. Go with it, don't try to be someone you're not.

12. It's actually okay to stay in on a Friday and study. It'll have a hand in your career later on. 

13. Coffee is everyone's best friend. 

14. Doing laundry before you run out of clean underwear is the key to success in life. Okay, not really, but it definitely makes feel more successful. 

15. Watch/read the news. It's time to become a citizen of society, and it makes you not seem like the average college kid. 

16. No matter how old you think you are, the love of your parents/siblings/dogs is unlike any other. You'll cherish it more and more as time goes on. 

17. Being 21 is everything you thought it would be, but with it comes a responsibility, and a realization that time to become an adult is near.

18. Being yourself (your awkward, quiet, need-for-cheesy-humor self) is completely okay. In the words of Dr. Seuss, "Those who mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind."

19. Dreaming "big" is not a curse, it's a blessing, and it'll take you places. (See you soon, Austin.)

20. The friends you make in college, no matter what age or year, are some of the greatest people you will meet in your entire life. Treasure them, and everything they bring to your life, because they truly make your experience worthwhile.

 

"You can get what you want, or you can just get old"- Billy Joel