Your Mountain is Waiting…
It’s that time of year again, the time where we help pack up our children, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews and watch our young ones drive away for college move in. The time where we yell out at the slow moving car “I’ll see you in a few weeks!”
I truly enjoyed my time while at Morehead, and I’ll be the first to admit I probably had too many distractions and other factors while there seeing that it didn’t work out.
Some of our friends and family decided to stay closest to family and remain in their home town while working towards their career at a local college or university and then some move away. This year my niece, Baleigh, will be moving to attend school at Morehead State University where she’ll double major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.
As she runs me around to TJ Maxx, and Wal-Mart getting things in for her dorm we started talking about he staying focused while being away from home (we come from a very close family and this will be new to her).
Listed is some advice that has been passed down from parents from the beginning of time, well the time when colleges became the place to further your education. Share this with anyone that you know who may be leaving for school this fall.
Go to class. There will be days where all you want to do is sleep in. The alarm will sound and it might feel like the world is against you. Put your feet on the floor, take a shower, brush your teeth, and show up to class… do not just show up be prepared.
Find the library. Form a study group if you need to, but most of all find a place that is good for you to get your work finished and you’ll know you’ve done the best you could.
Know the syllabus like the back of your hand. Each class is going to come with one, it will contain what the professor is going to expect of you, chapter readings, a calendar of when homework is due, and the dates of quizzes and tests. It’s going to break down the class. Know this document so you can stay on top of your assignments.
Meet with your teachers and advisors. They are there for you. They will have emails you can send your questions and concerns about the course. Office hours will be posted for you to set up appointments with them. You’re paying quite a bit of money to take the course, don’t be afraid to ask for help and directions from the faculty. They want to see you succeed.
Strive for a balanced life. While you’re working to succeed in college you will also have a personal life it's important not to focus on one more than the other.
Set goals of what you want to achieve. This is really in any walk of life even if you decided to go immediately into the work force out of high school. It’s always good to have goals.
You need you, to be you. This isn’t like high school. You will wake yourself up, feed yourself, you will officially be “adulating,” and ask any adult and they’ll probably tell you it’s stressful and you’ll be overwhelmed at times, but find the things that make you happy and don’t let them go to the back burner.
Don’t keep putting off that 10-page paper that’s due. I’m sure you can pull an all-nighter and get the paper finished, but remember the goal is to get the best grades you’re capable of.
Get involved. Find campus activities you can be a part of and make memories. Once you finish college it is off to work (we hope). Look for campus ministries or clubs, volunteer with the student government, go to athletic events, watch the choir and band, see a musical, and make new friends. Be wise who you chose to hang with; this doesn’t mean to let your high school friends go. Bob Greene was telling me an old saying that goes like this, “make new friends keep the old, the new ones are silver but the old ones are gold.” Just make memories.
You will get homesick and that’s okay. Call home and know you can call often if that’s what you need. If you have time plan a visit home. Skype or FaceTime, do what you need to. People can’t expect you to move away from a family that you’ve been with for 18 years and immediately adjust to your new life. Remember to keep your eyes on the prize and do the best you can.
In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Oh the places you’ll go, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!”
Best wishes to this year’s college freshman! God bless you all!
Until next time Life, taxes and…
Josh
