PAGE 01
Lessons Learned... and Still Learning
By Liz Hartford, Executive Director
C
ollege can be a wonderful and unique opportunity to invent, reinvent, experience and challenge yourself in ways that you’ve never done before. It’s a chance to explore, experiment and try new things. For many of you it’s the first time that you will be making the decisions of your life from what classes you’ll take, to whether you’ll actually go to class, doing your own laundry or sharing space with someone. It’s impossible not to take something away from that time. For me, my time in college and being a part of this sorority has taught me so many things. All of this has helped shape the woman I am and I continue to learn something new every day. I wanted to share with you some of the things I’ve learned along the way: 1. Make an effort to be the person who says “hello” to people even if you don’t know them. 2. Be good to your body. You are in your prime so, while it’s easy to binge drink, completely overeat at the dining hall, and sit on your computer instead of doing something active…sometimes just don’t. Your health and wellness matter. 3. A clean email inbox is the easiest way to prevent unnecessary stress. At work we refer to this as “white at night”. 4. Invest in a good interview outfit. 5. Politeness is a lost art. Hold the door open for others; say “please” and “thank you”.
6. The only thing you can change about your past is how you feel about it. Whether those things become regret or a lesson is totally up to you. 7. Music can get you through a lot: studying playlists, workout playlists, break-up playlists, rainy day playlists… Make them all. 8. It’s less important to have more friends and more important to have real ones. 9. Handwritten notes (and “thank you” notes, in particular) never go out of style. 10. If every conversation with a friend involves talking badly about another friend, chances are they’re probably talking badly about you too. 11. Sometimes it’s okay to say “no” without having an excuse as to why. 12. Sleep is important, there’s no such thing as making up for lost sleep. 13. Cramming doesn’t actually work. Take the time to space out your studying. You will perform so much better when you do. 14. Don’t drink beer if you don’t like it. Don’t wear heels if you’re not comfortable. Don’t pretend to like bands you actually hate. You do you. It’s always better in the end. Enjoy enjoy this time while you’re in it as it will be over before you know it. One lesson I’ve learned the most from is that time only seems to speed up as the years go by. Make the most of it!