Every Decision You Make in College Counts

You can wear the same sweats for an entire week and no one will judge you in college (well, almost no one). You can find six people on your floor willing to go to Taco Bell at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday.

My favorite part about college, however, is the freedom. I love waking up in the morning and having complete jurisdiction over my schedule. Although I love my mom and dad, it’s nice to live on my own and make my own decisions.

College is a formative time for obvious reasons. Because of this newfound sense of responsibility that washes over you, however, you may not realize as a freshman the vast importance of the decisions you make at the time.

They can feel as trivial as deciding whether or not to go to your 8 a.m. lecture that day or as significant as choosing what major you want to pursue. No matter the weight of the decision, however, it’s entirely up to you.

Although college fills itself with fun moments with friends, try to use your independence to your advantage. If you feel really passionate about the class, make the active decision to go every day, even if your friends make a convincing argument to go on a Target run instead.

Too tired to go out on a Friday night? Take care of yourself and spend the night in; order pizza and binge a season of your favorite television show on Netflix. Listen to what your body needs and don’t push yourself into doing anything you don’t want to do.

Pick up that minor in a subject you are really curious about. Do it despite the backlash you may receive from others, perhaps telling you that a minor in art history “isn’t worth it.”

If your mom or aunt or best friend wants you to rush a sorority, but you feel iffy about it, trust your gut. You don’t want to end up with a four-year commitment in something you were never 100 percent about in the first place.

You have four years to make the best out of your college experience. Why worry about what other people think when you can start making your own life decisions as you figure out who you want to become?

You’re a young adult living on your own for the first time—act like it.