I’m teaching CORE 103, a first-year life-skills class at Drury University, and post my weekly blog focused on the class content.

 

Try new things.

Being in a new place, meeting new people and starting over again can be scary.  But, this too shall pass–get out there and try new things.

• Residential Students: meet new people in your living area, make an effort to find people who like the same things as you.
• Commuter Students: Don’t eat lunch in your car–find a friend or a special place and make the best of your situation.

Sure it’s awkward at first, most things are.  But, trying new things makes the new things the comfortable things sooner than you’d think.

Realize the power of connections.

Regardless of your college experience  you’re going to meet other people.  Some people will become your friends, some people will become mentors and some people will become your life-line later in your life.  Every person you meet matters and will make an impact on your present and your future.  You are in charge of what this impact will become.

Know when to ask for help.

You don’t know all of the answers and you probably have some pretty important questions.  You have people around you everywhere that can and want to help you.  It’s not weakness to share your needs; it’s incredibly strong.

Your parents can’t solve all of your problems for you.

You are a competent individual that makes good decisions.  Sure, your parents/family/guardians may be a great sounding board, but you’ll grow by leaps and bounds by handling your own questions, addressing your own problems, facilitating your own meetings and finding your own solutions.

Never, Never, Never give up.

You may spend most of your college years as a poor, starving college student that scrapes together a miracle each semester to remain in college.  It’s worth it.  These problems will test your perseverance  will make you stronger and will help you realize all that you can accomplish.  When you want something bad enough: Never, Never, Never give up.