10 things I know now that I wish I knew then
As many of you (or at least some) know, I’m just completed my 5th and final year of college. I graduated with a computer science degree! I’m super excited! I learned something the other day though, and I started thinking: ”I’ve lived in Brookings for almost 5 years now and I had no idea about that.” So I thought I would pass on to you 10 things I have learned at college that I think you should know. Some are serious, some are funny, but all are true. Here we go.
- You can buy stamps at Wal Mart. Seriously, I lived right across the street from Wal Mart for 3 years, but always made special trips to Lewis to get stamps.
- The people you hangout with easily influence you. Hang out with heavy drinkers, chances are you will start drinking too. Hang out with people who care about social justice, chances are you will too.
- Your friends are your family. At college, it’s often hard to visit parents and family a lot. Choose to befriend people who will care for you and love you. Love and care for them too. When something comes up, and it will, they are the first place you will go.
- Don’t take your laptop to class. You’ll never pay attention to a lecture again (trust me, I wrote this one while in class and I had no idea what the professor was talking about).
- Your sin does not define you. God create you, you are His workmanship. Your identity is found in God and God alone.
- Be unified. Matthew 12:25 says that “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” I’ve see so much division, been apart of a lot it, and every time the group or people fell to ruins. Be unified. Humble yourself and love, even if that means you don’t get what you want.
- Guys – “in the heart of every man is a desperate desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” – John Eldredge
- We are a mess, but it’s beautiful!
- We might not always be faithful, but God Always is.
- Be who you are. Only then can you come alive and become who you are.
I thank God for the trials and tests of college. Through those trials, God transformed my life into where I am now and I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for them.
I know I’ve learned many more things in the last 5 years, but these are just some of them. How about you? What are some things you have learned in college and want to share with others? Post in the comments. I’d love to start hearing back from you.
As always, may God bless you,
~Adam
1.God knows what’s best! Ive been through multiple exaples of this within the past 2 years of my college experience.
The first of them being: My senior year of high school I wanted and thought God was calling me to go to Bethel University. I had all of my classes lined up, had a roommate, had a meal plan and everything, all that needed to happen was for my dad to sign a 10,000 dollar loan(I had already recieved 22,000 in scholarships)! Well, that didn’t happen. I was very upset and had to start looking for my back up college. The only school that was still accepting applications was Bemidji. I applied, was accepted, and wasnt very thankful for that. I went into my first year of college thinking I was just going to get my generals/my first 2 years done at this “cheap school” and then go back to Bethel where “I belonged”. Well Im done with my second year of college at Bemidji, and I dont want to leave! About 4 months into my first year at BSU I realized that it was my selfish wantings to go to Bethel, and it most definitely wasn’t where God wanted me. And out of this comes my second one.
2. Listen to Him!
cuz He knows what’s best! 
(just a couple of things I’ve learned)
Okay… my tips may seem obvious… but here it is:
1. The first thing I learnt was that classes should not be skipped or taken for granted no matter how easy the course may be.
…oh yeah… and sleep early and as much as your body needs… it helps when you’re awake in class and tests too…
2. Also, studying is not for Nerds only… the coolest people I know study.
3. Find a Bible study and be committed to it. I’ll not go into details but you’ll see the benefits.
4. Get a job. It’ll give you some sense of responsibility and help you mature. Note: It must not be a paying job.
5. Time management… no one knows how, but by grace we’re getting through. Manage you time well and constantly ask God for more grace to do so.
Thanks for sharing!!!