Hard-Won Life Lessons for Every Situation
…okay, maybe not every situation. Six situations. But still. This is solid advice. Here’s what I wish I’d known before I…
Moved to New York City: First and foremost, there will ALWAYS be something fun/amazing/once-in-a-lifetime/if-I-miss-that-I’ll die event for which you should drop everything, cancel plans, and sell your grandmother to attend. Cool stuff to do is NYC’s middle name. So it’s okay to chill and skip it in the name of sticking to priorities (remember, you’re in college? And you have to be at your internship tomorrow at 9AM?). I wish I knew subway etiquette right from the get-go. What’s the number one offense underground? Besides eating a big, smelly meal in a packed rush hour car, it’s being a “door-stander”—that is, a person who steps into the subway car, forgets about the mass of people behind him, and plants himself right in the doorway, thus making his now enraged fellow-commuters squeeze in between him and (most of the time) the door-stander on the other side. Damn you, Door-Standers!
Drank four shots of espresso: When the barista messes up someone’s order and suddenly there’s a free double latte up for grabs, consider the double mocha already in your hands. Unless you enjoy shortness of breath and the feeling that the world is caving in on you, say no to a caffeine overdose.
Dyed my hair blue: It happens. We get dumped. We get bored. We need an outlet besides Netflix and Oreo binges. We dye our hair blue (by the way, not nearly as bad as the impromptu pixie your roommate could give you with a pair of kitchen scissors). What to know? Well, just that everything your head touches for the 10 days will turn blue. Pillowcases are obvious, but what about your treasured, vintage faux-fur coat you would take to the grave if it lasted? That’s right, you can expect a nice blue ring around the neck and shoulders.
Adopted four pugs: Did you know pugs shed? A lot? Did you know four pugs will essentially shed enough to make a throw rug in the middle of your hardwood floor? Did you know that dogs cost a lot of money? That they can get into trouble, like when they decide to ingest the foot of a rubber elephant squeaky toy, and have to have emergency surgery at 4 A.M.? That they have to go out on walks EVERY DAY. Like four times a day, rain or shine! Every day! Didn’t realize just the level of commitment? Neither did I.
Ate two whole cans of Pringles: Beware of watching TV with chips in hand when you’re feeling blue. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with vegging out and forgetting your troubles with a few (i.e., 7) episodes of Glee, but ever hear of the expression “mindless eating?” It isn’t a theory. We need our minds and sensory abilities with us when we’re knee-deep in snacks. Please, spare yourself a Pringles coma and an hour or two in the fetal position.
Applied to college: It takes time, people. You’re not gonna knock out a college application in a weekend. If you try to, you will quickly panic, and no one works well with heart palpitations. You need time to have people—parents, teachers, guidance counselors, friends—in college or out—look at your personal essay. You need input. You need time to research the schools you’re interested in. Do you really want to go that school? Are you trying please someone else by applying there? Are you afraid to apply to a school that you think you’ll never get into? These are important questions to consider…and they take some time to think about. Can you visit the college? That’s even better! Can you graduate without (or just a low amount of) student loans? Whoa! That’s pretty cool! What’s my point? Try to get honest about where you think you’ll thrive as a student. Don’t be afraid to have a “reach” school and a safety (or two). Don’t be afraid to stay close to home or move far away. Really consider what would work for you. And don’t be afraid of picking a school and finding out it’s the not the right fit after you get there. Cause we always have options!
What lessons do you think EVERYONE should learn?
