College is a crazy time in many people’s lives. For a lot of students, college is the first time for a great deal of freedom, being away from parents and completely on your own time.
It’s quite a bit to adjust to, and some people do it more naturally than others.
And, that’s OK.
It’s all about adapting.
Much like Dorothy isn’t in Kansas anymore, you’re not in high school anymore.
There’s the good and the bad with that. But, in the end, college shouldn’t be that bad – even if we all end up complaining about it the whole time.
It’s meant to be the best time of our lives, but then, so was high school.
That being said, I think one of the best ways to make our times at college a little better and a little more fun is by stepping out of our comfort zones.
New school, new friends, new bedroom. Just keep the new coming.
New friends is probably one of the biggest news of college. It’s hard. Everyone comes here starting fresh and not knowing anyone.
One of the first things you do is make friends, or at least meet people. Lots of people.
I remember this was one of the biggest and hardest things for me to do when starting.
It’s easy to cling onto the first people you find and whatever group they’re in.
A lot of times, they’re not going to be your real friends.
When I see those friendships lasting – which, sometimes they do – I get a little surprised. It’s just not realistic.
Finding those friends, the good ones, the ones you’re going to want forever can be taking a risk.
Taking that first step, talking to someone, can be scary.
Talking to basically strangers is a big step for a lot of people.
Sometimes it gets easier the more you do it, and sometimes it doesn’t.
And sometimes, it likes to flipflop on if it gets easier or harder.
You just have to make that first leap.
But there’s so many other risks out there besides making friends.
Another big one is looking for jobs. I’m currently in a mad dash to find an internship so I can graduate.
I’m past being picky on what I do. I will apply to anything I can argue my way into being loosely qualified for.
As the Handshake website Gannon uses tells me, my major doesn’t always match.
I apply anyway. I’m aware I’m likely going to be rejected, but I’m used to that. I apply anyway.
So far, it’s worked out for me. I just had an interview the other day for an internship that my major didn’t obviously line up with and I was probably a little light on experience for.
And, it seems like there’s a good chance I’m getting the internship.
I have another interview with them at the end of the week.
This mad dash, mass application send is probably what I’m going to be as graduation approaches and I’m looking for a job.
Eventually, someone will have to hire me. That’s how it goes.
Take the risk; it pays off.

ALEXA ROGERS
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