The College Top Ten...

When I went to college... I was not prepared at all for what I was getting into.  I thought I was ready... But as it turns out... College is a whole different world than High School: a world that will completely change you and force you to grow up.  A world where you will start on a journey that will shape and define the rest of your life.  How you chose to spend your time in College WILL have a direct impact on your future, your career, and your family.  So without further to do... Here are the Top Ten things I have learned since going to College and wish I had understood Before my journey Started!        

1. Ask for Help... Seriously!  Ask Questions... as many as you need... ask them twice if you need to!  My biggest regret is that I didn't ask for help when I needed it.  But you are paying the University GOOD money for their time to Educate you and Serve you while you are there.  Most Professors will spend time with you making sure you understand when you express concerns OR send you somewhere that will help you if they cant.  Professors only help when asked though!  Forget those times in High School when a teacher noticed you struggling and came to YOU... College professors tend to have no qualms with failing those who don't seek advice.  So Don't be afraid to ask for help when needed... in fact... buddy up to your professors... make them LIKE you!  Also... Become friends with your Advisor.  If you get an Advisor that it is impossible to befriend request a new one.  They will be CRUCIAL to helping you graduate and helping you get into grad school/med school/ law school ect.     
2. Explore Your Options.  This one may overwhelm you and your parents a bit... BUT make sure you take the time you need to explore all the possibilities.  Look through the majors available at your college and the careers they are preparing for.  (Just don't take all four years to do this!) Don't just settle for anything.  College is meant to fine tune your education experience to prepare you for YOUR future. Which leads us to the next point...    
3. Discover What you are Passionate About.  You are going to have to be happy and passionate about what you want to do with your life...or your motivation will be...lacking.  I ran away from MY passion for three years thinking it wasn't what other people would think I should do.  In reality... You can't run away from what is written in your heart.  Chances are... If it's in your heart it may be the path God created for you.  Trust me... you will never be happy without Passion and a Purpose.        
4. Take advantage of every Opportunity.  Make sure to think about any and every opportunity you have before turning it down.  Tom Vilsack, United Sates Secretary of Agriculture, told us at National Conference in April that sometimes... An opportunity just appears... and if you take it... it might take you somewhere you never even dreamed of or thought possible.  There is no way to 100% plan out your future.  So don't be afraid to do something that's not in the plan... It might just make your plan... Better.      
5. Study, Study, Study...and Study some More!  I should probably practice what I preach.  I hate studying... I have a hard time focusing on one thing for too long.  But College, unfortunately, is a lot of information.  It really is important to review and rewrite your notes weeks and days before the Exam.  There is typically not much homework in College... which leaves you with more time to study for a test that counts twice (or sometimes three times) as much of your grade in comparison to High School grades.  Basically... you can't afford to make bad grades on college exams.  Which leads me to the next point...   
6. Don't Panic.  You probably will make a bad grade or have a bad experience every once in a while.  It happens.  Professors are all different, you might end up with one that just simply does not teach in a way that helps you learn.  And it's possible to end up with one that is just... well... crappy at teaching.  Some classes are just hard... no matter which way you approach them or how much you study.  When this happens.  DON'T PANIC.  Panicking only makes you sick and feel like a failure.  Just know that you will never be good at everything... unless you are a genius, you won't have an A+ in every class...AND a bad grade won't ruin your life unless you let it do so.   So take a deep breath, pick up the pieces, evaluate your situation and seek advice.      
7. Get Involved.  Don't let yourself be bored.  Homesickness will only happen when you are bored... You can only study so much... get out and do something.  There are millions of ways to get involved on a College Campus!  By getting involved you will be making new friends, building your resume', and making connections that can possibly help you in the future!  Friends and Club members are also a good way to find study companions.        
8. Be Prepared.  This is a no brainer... Be prepared for all of your classes, labs, student jobs, Club meetings, ect.  This will have an impact on your grades, your GPA, and your future careers.  If you need twenty calendars with test and meeting dates hanging up in your dorm to keep you strait... do it!     
9. Be Wise and Make Smart Decisions.  Other than Your RA telling you when you can and can;t have company and randomly checking your room for Alcohol (which you shouldn't ever have!) and Toasters (yep.. no toasters...they are a fire hazard!)... there is nobody telling you what to do and when to do it.  It's totally up to YOU now to make smart decisions.  Remember... Decisions you make now (even small ones like when you go to bed... what social events or parties you go to and which ones you stay the heck away from... when you get up... when you leave for class... when you shower...the way you dress...) all effect your future... and possibly your career.  Which leads to....      
10. Don't Forget Who You Really Are.  These next four years WILL change you.  But..Don't Let your college experience have a Negative impact on who you are, who your parents raised you to be, and who God wants you to be.  Keep this in your heart and everything else will start to fall into place.  

P.S.... Don't Forget to Have Fun and Enjoy the Moment! ;)