Everything about college is intimidating. From deciding where to go to learning your way around, college is stressful.
I know this firsthand since I was set for the University of Alabama and planned to major in chemical engineering, but changed my mind two weeks before I was supposed to leave. Instead, I am attending MTSU, double majoring in biology and psychology, although I'm seriously considering changing my majors to journalism and global studies. So in just fourteen short days I had to apply to MTSU, cancel my reservation to Alabama, meet with my advisor, schedule my classes, get an official transcript and ACT score report sent to my school, get a whole new set of shots and meet new requirements, and find a permanent job here.
But even with all of the new hoops I had to jump through, I made it work, and now I'm happier than ever with my decision. I have two amazing jobs, a new set of friends, joined a sorority, and am finding what I'm meant to do with my life.
Below is a list of advice that I wish someone had shared with me a year ago when I was beginning my senior year.
1. Taking a plethora of AP classes really won't help you that much.
My senior year, I took four AP classes: government, English, chemistry, and statistics. I was able to balance the workload (barely) and make great grades, but only passed one of my AP exams. If I could go back and redo my senior year, I would have just taken two and devoted more time to them. It looks better to take fewer "hard" classes and excel in them than taking several classes and falling short in all of them.
2. After you graduate, your ACT score does not matter. At all.
I took the ACT exam four times before I got what I wanted: a 30. But then after that, I still wasn't happy. I wanted a 32, so I took the exam another two times, but maxed out at 30. I was so embarrassed of my score and felt ashamed that I couldn't reach a 32. What I didn't seem to realize is that a 30 is an amazing score that most people would have been more than thrilled with. At the time, I seemed to correlate my personal value with the number I got on a test. Don't stress yourself out if you don't reach your dream score. It honestly won't matter at all once you graduate. In my school, people prided themselves on their ACT score, but I promise you, once you get to college, it won't matter anymore.
3. It does not matter how many clubs you were a part of.
My senior year I was involved in seven clubs and was on the board for four of them. I barely had a social life. While my classmates were enjoying their senior year of high school, I was working working working toward a goal I had set for myself: be the most involved, have the highest ACT score, get the best scholarships. I literally made myself sick trying to be the best. Out of the two colleges I applied to, MTSU and Alabama, my involvement did not influence my candidacy for scholarships or admission. I think it's great to be involved, I still am in college. But being in seven clubs does not make you look any better than the person who was only in three. Instead of signing up for everything, only join clubs that you are truly interested in and will enjoy being involved in.
4. There is no shame in attending your local college.
If you had told me a year ago that I would be attending the local college and still living at home, I would have laughed you out of the room. "Me? Going local? No way. I'm destined for greatness and local isn't great." I was the most stuck up overachiever out there, guys. Staying home for school was the best decision I could have made for myself. Freshman year is hard enough without factoring in living on your own, moving to a new city, and making a whole new set of friends. Staying at home has allowed me the comfort of living in a city I know, my family to rely on, and the ability to make new friends at my own pace. Staying at home does not mean you have failed. I repeat: staying at home does not mean you have failed.
5. Everyone is going to have an opinion, but not everyone's opinions matter.
The past few months have been a bit rocky in regards to my future. Growing up, I was always the girl who knew what she wanted to be. When other girls were dreaming of being princesses, I would state in a matter-of-fact tone that I wanted to be an oncologist. So when I decided last minute to give up my full ride to Alabama for MTSU, I received a lot of backlash. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me what an idiot I am for staying home, I would have more money in cash than what Alabama was offering me. It was really hard for me not to let the negativity of others get to me. In the eyes of my classmates, I was an idiot who had failed. But it finally dawned on me that these people I had been surrounded with no longer matter, nor did their opinions. My happiness is all that matters. Don't let the opinions of others, no matter how close they are to you, influence your opinion on your life, your college, and your major. No matter what you do, where you go, who you become, there will be someone who loves you for it, and there will be five others who hate you for it. You can't please everyone so focus on pleasing yourself.
College is a time for self-discovery, trying new things, and having fun. If you aren't happy with your life, now is the time to change it. Don't let anyone tell you what you're meant to be. If I had let others decide my future, I would be in another state by myself, studying my booty off for a job I would loathe, and so stressed out that I would undoubtedly send myself into another IC flare.
Pick the college and future that is right for you, not your friends, not your family, and sure as hell not for the people you pass in the hallway five times a week.
