2008 Woodie Awards
Top 10 most important life lessons to learn in college
Ashley Vlasak
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Opinions
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Recently, I was reminiscing with family and friends about my college experience. I never imagined changing so much and becoming the person I am today.
Nearly at the end of my journey at SCSU, I have realized numerous life lessons that encompassed the past three years. Some good, some bad, but they all molded me into a person who will be strong and intelligent enough to face the world in stride.
Taking the love of lists from our editorial board, I decided to make my own list for my last staff column for the University Chronicle. The top 10 most important life lessons I learned in college. In no particular order, I give you my screw-ups, challenges and successes engulfed in lessons I will never forget.
Lesson 1. The first, and probably most important for me, is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. I have always held the notions of say what's on your mind and bluntness as my signature qualities. I am not afraid to let my tongue flow with all the thoughts floating in my head and never answer a question without an honest answer. But I realized my big mouth sometimes pisses people off. Instead of helping in situations, my mouth and I quickly make them worse. My problem: I don't know where to draw the line. Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth, or the truth is not appropriate. My advice, think before you speak.
Lesson 2. Never be too proud to ask for help. Don't let yourself sink deeper and deeper into a hole before asking for help. You are surrounded by people and facilities that are there for you in the time of need. Use them.
Lesson 3. Gain your independence and find out who you are. The biggest mistake I made was coming to college with a boyfriend. My freshman year I spent every weekend going home to see him. I missed out on a lot that I can't get back. College is a great opportunity to find yourself and realize you don't need anyone else. You need to find what you are made of, and always having a significant other stands in the way of that. Don't get me wrong, relationships are great, but make sure you understand yourself first. If you're not happy with yourself, you can't make anyone else happy.
Nearly at the end of my journey at SCSU, I have realized numerous life lessons that encompassed the past three years. Some good, some bad, but they all molded me into a person who will be strong and intelligent enough to face the world in stride.
Taking the love of lists from our editorial board, I decided to make my own list for my last staff column for the University Chronicle. The top 10 most important life lessons I learned in college. In no particular order, I give you my screw-ups, challenges and successes engulfed in lessons I will never forget.
Lesson 1. The first, and probably most important for me, is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. I have always held the notions of say what's on your mind and bluntness as my signature qualities. I am not afraid to let my tongue flow with all the thoughts floating in my head and never answer a question without an honest answer. But I realized my big mouth sometimes pisses people off. Instead of helping in situations, my mouth and I quickly make them worse. My problem: I don't know where to draw the line. Sometimes people don't want to hear the truth, or the truth is not appropriate. My advice, think before you speak.
Lesson 2. Never be too proud to ask for help. Don't let yourself sink deeper and deeper into a hole before asking for help. You are surrounded by people and facilities that are there for you in the time of need. Use them.
Lesson 3. Gain your independence and find out who you are. The biggest mistake I made was coming to college with a boyfriend. My freshman year I spent every weekend going home to see him. I missed out on a lot that I can't get back. College is a great opportunity to find yourself and realize you don't need anyone else. You need to find what you are made of, and always having a significant other stands in the way of that. Don't get me wrong, relationships are great, but make sure you understand yourself first. If you're not happy with yourself, you can't make anyone else happy.