What College Taught Me: A Personal Perspective on Life, Responsibility, and Growth

Starting College: A Rollercoaster of Change

To those who have been following my posts for some time, you may recognize this topic—it’s one I touched on in some of the first articles I wrote for Osprey Village. But for those who are new to my writing, and for future residents of Osprey Village, I’d like to share my overall college experience. I’ll try to describe it in a way that’s simple and honest, with a lot of personal perspective—so, fair warning!

Looking back, my time as a college student has been a life-changing rollercoaster ride. There were highs and lows around every corner, and I had a lot of responsibilities thrown at me all at once. It was hard to get my bearings in the beginning. (In fact, there was even a specific incident I won’t go into here that really challenged me.)

Responsibility and Resources

At first glance, college might seem exciting. You gain freedoms you didn’t have while living at home with your parents. But those freedoms come with a price: responsibility. You have to manage your own schedule, get to class on time, complete your homework, and if your class is early in the morning, you’ve got to learn to wake up on your own!

Thankfully, there are many resources—both on and off campus—that can help you succeed. Study groups and tutors are available to help you better understand the material and prepare for tests. You’ll also find support from counselors and professors who can guide you in choosing the right path toward your degree. Some classes might have you work on just one big project for the entire semester. It can be tough, but the sense of accomplishment when it’s finished is incredibly rewarding.

More Than Academics

College isn’t just about academics, either. There are plenty of extracurricular activities that give you the chance to make friends and explore new interests—sometimes even ones you thought you didn’t like back in high school! For example, when I first joined the school newspaper, it was only because it was a requirement for my degree. But after fulfilling that requirement, I decided to stick with it. I discovered I really enjoyed writing my own column and having the freedom to write about topics I cared about, not just assignments.

In short, college is challenging—but with the right mindset and attitude, you can get through it. And if you do, you’ll come out of the experience a better and more responsible person.

See you next week!