10 most important things I learned in college- not found in the required textbooks

Looking back at my time in college so far, I have learned many skills that will surely prepare me for the workplace. Among the array of skills I've learned, some at the price for what seemed like studying until the sun came up, some of them didn't come with 'college'. I chose the most important things I learned that WERE NOT in the textbooks the professors insisted we buy. 

1. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.
Life is a journey, not a destination.Not everything can be done perfectly and sometimes you don't get the 'A' on the paper you thought you deserved. Some times I have gone above and beyond and the reward was greatly satisfying. Whatever the situation, you can't always win, and accepting this was one of the hardest things for me to do because I try to get the most out of everything. Sometimes you learn to keep going even with adversity and challenges. 

2. I never thought I would do some of the things I have done.
I know what you're thinking. Get your head out of the gutter. I NEVER thought I would have to stay up until the sun was coming back up to start a new day. I have had some late nights, but nothing says all nighter like the sun rising again. Sleep is KEY in being productive in class and MANY of nights have been spent watching the sunrise.
Another thing I never thought I would have to do is wake up from that sacred sleep to start coffee. Functioning without coffee the days are pretty slim to none, but having coffee first is a good day. 

3. Take advantages of resources. Don't be afraid to ask for help. 
I found myself working as a student working on campus at the Information Technology Help Desk. This opened up my horizons to many things on campus that I would have never known without working here. Not only have I gained a lot more knowledge about IT related things, I have met SO many people on campus that have been a great networking source. 

4. Your major may not define your future. Listen to your gut. 
Upon high school graduation, I decided that I wanted my future to be in nursing- boy did I guess wrong on that one. Making a life-changing decision as big as switching your college major from one spectrum to another is extremely stressful but it has paid off immensely because I am so much happier in the Marketing field. Bless the people who are able to give love and care to those who are sick, but it was not the future I saw for myself and my family. I had to listen to my gut feeling.  

5. Loyalty is a two way street. You find out who your friends are.
I found out that it is less important to have more friends and more important to have real ones. I have met so many people on my journey, many friendships have lasted a semester long (while we sat next to each other during a class) and many have just failed because of reasons. One thing I do know is that my friendships that have actually lasted this long are friends I will cherish for the rest of my life. These friends have been with me through the ups and downs of life. Loyalty in friendship is a two way street because as we grow older, we become busier and engrossed into other activities and friend groups ect. BUT one thing that never happens with loyalty is no matter the distance, we still are in touch regularly and continue to flourish a lifelong friendship. If people aren't willing to put forth the same time and effort, you find out who your friends are. 

​6. You still have a life. Kinda. Hakuna Matata.
I have also learned that I need to make time for balancing my personal life outside of the college chaos. Finding balance between work, school, and personal life can definitely be tricky but school is most definitely my number one priority. Making sure that school work is done first before having fun is a must for me (or I get anxiety to get home to finish it). I found that I love taking my dogs for a walk because it gets all of us out of the house and takes my mind off what I had been working on. In college, you can still KINDA have a life as long as you set your priorities to work these into scheduling. 

7. Always take your makeup off at night, it is not worth the breakout. 
Did you know your face ages 14 days for every night you go to bed without washing? The oil in your T-zone area increases the rate of bacteria growth, which can result in overnight formation of infection- or commonly known as breakouts. I have way to many reasons I love Mary Kay, but one reason is the fact that I have gained so much knowledge about skincare and makeup application, its unreal. So thanks for taking care of my skin forever, Mary Kay. 

8. College is definitely an investment in myself and my future.
Enjoy the experience. Cause it's expensive. But surely money can't buy everything, either. That is why college has taught me that although it may be the most expensive experience I will ever endure, I am investing into my future career path because I want to be able to rely on myself if I need to, and I want to be able to provide for my family to have the life that my parents provided for me. I found myself enjoying the experience of college more when realized the investment I am making in myself.

"WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT, YOU ARE GONNA LIKE IT!!!" -Typical Mom 

9. Don't forget to have a planner.
Time management is real and this is the part in 'adulting' that I found most helpful in staying on track and organized. I have repeated heard and taught that being organized and prompt with deadlines and such is actually like really important to people in the real world. I literally live by my daily planner because.. well because college. Confession: I even color code for my classes when things are due, appointments, and special dates. 

10. Treat yo' self girl, you deserve it.
After all of this being said, I know how hard I have worked to get to the point in my life where I am now- including the tears & frustration, late nights & early mornings, and all the watered down coffee you can think of, I always try to make time to treat myself for my hard work. I enjoy to reward myself with positive reinforcements like getting my monthly massage or getting my nails filled. Treat yo'self girl, you deserve so much. 

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