Hey y'all! My name is Emily Ann Smith and, as weird as it is to say, l'm a senior. Chi Omega easily became one of my greatest blessings and biggest joys throughout college. And without the girls who line the walls behind the red door, I definitely wouldn't be who I am today. I can't say I have learned everything college has to teach me or that my story is exactly like someone elses, but here is a little survival guide I've made along the way.
1. Believe in yourself! It's cliché I know, but true. It is so easy to get down on yourself after a bad test, a forgotten assignment, having to drop a class, not passing a nursing semester, and so many other things, but even in those moments, you are more than capable. Believe in your abilities! God gave you gifts for a reason! Don't let self -doubt hold you back from pursuing your dreams.
2. It's okay to say no! I know, it's hard, you don't want to hurt someone's feelings or feel like you're missing out. I get it, I am excellent at overbooking my calendar, but I have learned that it is okayto say no. College has a lot to offer, and that's one of the amazing and special things about a school like ours, but before you know it, your calendar will be so full that you forget to give yourself time to breathe. Prioritizing yourself and your work is important too! So, learn to say yes and to say no!
3. Try new things! It's scary but also can bring some of the greatest memories you'll make! Whether participating in Step Sing, SGA, study abroads, getting involved in Chi O, intramurals, and so much more, take the chance! Allow yourself to try something new, you may love it, you may not, but you will never know unless you try.
4. Take care of your mental health! You are growing in so many ways in college. You begin to leam how to live on your own, make new friends, decide what good friends and maybe not so good friends look like. You may get a boyfriend, maybe experience new emotions you hadn't before, or maybe you're always around people and don't have a place to think. A lot is happening in college, and your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health. Prioritize self-care activities that nourish your soul, whether that's joumaling, counseling, or going for walks on the Lakeshore Trail. Remember to keep you healthy!
5. Embrace failure as growth! It's okay to stumble and fall along the way. Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. It can feel like the end of the world, but God has a reason for everything, seek His wisdom and guidance!
6. Trust the journey! Remember that life is a journey, and college is just one chapter in your story, Trust in yourself and trust in the journey, knowing that every experience, both good and bad, is shaping you into the person you are meant to become.
College will feel like the best four years of your life and maybe the not best four years of your life at times, but it is a journey just like every other season. So, I encourage and commend you in finishing the semester strong, with new friends, new memories, and new lessons. Above all, remember to be kind to yourself and treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding you would a sister or a friend. You're doing great, and you've got this!
