things i've learned during my first semester of college

kate
6 hours ago
4 min read

hi friends! as i recently finished my first semester at college, i've been reflecting on what i've learned and i want to share it with you all! i hope it inspires you, and for my future college girlies, helps you out with your first semester:)

big transitions, however exciting, are going to be hard. change takes energy. it took a lot longer than i thought to adjust and feel completely like myself, and that's okay.
planning out your week as a college student is essential! at least for me, time blocking all my homework for the week was super helpful. you have so much more autonomy over your schedule, so use that to your advantage!
finding good places to study is key. i loved studying in certain spots around campus and finding quiet places with tables/desks and sunlight where i could lock in and get the most done for the time i had.
simplify topics and make them applicable to you. you're not gonna remember random information.
active recall is how you study for tests. it doesn't matter what you wrote down, it matters what you can still remember. using chat is super helpful for making practice quizzes and tests and that was the best studying tool i used closer to exams!
set a consistent time to wake up on weekdays. even if you don't go to bed at the same time every night, having a solid morning routine is motivating to not stay up too late :)
going to the temple every week was such a good goal and i'm so grateful the provo city center temple is super close. make it a priority to worship the Lord!
make it a priority to know everyones' name. even if it’s hard. building connections and making friends starts with remembering names!
live for the plot :) obviously don’t be stupid, but be brave. do things that scare you. talk to strangers. go on blind group dates. try new things. explore new places. believe in yourself more than you have before. there are endless opportunities in life, and while you can’t do them all, take advantage of what makes you excited. embrace the fact that becoming the person you want to be is possible!
don't forget to move your body!! i loved my yoga and self-defense classes (highly recommend) and per usual, the days i didn't move my body, i felt worse. i also loved walking so much on campus, it feels amazing for your body (once your feet get used to it:).
if you don't have a car, use walmart delivery for groceries. they have a student discount so for $50 i got my groceries delivered all semester, saving me hours of time. best investment i made.
strangers are usually more friendly than you think! making new friends gives life depth & helps you better understand the people around you:)
living for yourself is a sad way to live. if you wanna be happy, serve people around you.
Jesus is the light that casts out all darkness!
people around you are usually struggling more than you are
smile at people when you pass by them and see how your mood changes
faith has a short shelf life. it's not a passive force but an active one
“there are people in this room who want to make a friend, just like me.” -leahsfieldnotes
"walking with Jesus is uphill because He’s taking me to something higher." -stephen schank (composer of i will walk with Jesus)
you can try to distract yourself all you want, but no one can take away your sadness. you just have to go through it. you can’t go over or under or around it. you have to swim deep through it.
"i decided, either i’m going to be in the church, or not. so if i am, i want to learn everything i can." -alex
"there is a difference between failing, even repeatedly, and being a failure. ... too often we ask the wrong question when we fail. we ask, 'am i good enough?' but the real question is, 'is God good enough?'" -kevin worthen
"you can’t have a million dollar experience with fifty cents of effort." -corey cuvelier
"physicians promise us that if we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill." -jeffrey holland
"we live in a noisy, contentious world, where it is possible to be viewing or listening to information, music, or even pure nonsense virtually every waking hour. if we want to have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray, and live so we are worthy to receive and act upon His promptings. we will avoid major mistakes if we heed His warnings." -quinton cook
"you can have roots and wings, mel." -jake (sweet home alabama)

obviously there's always more but i'll cap it there:) love you !! thanks for reading! let me know what resonated & i will be back soon with more posts!

xoxo,

kate

p.s. there's a new ep of the podcast out!! listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mQDNUO5Wa61OouoXnig83?si=gjwkZaD2QhGADqOzrqMl9g