Hello person reading my first blog post as an Ithaca College graduate,
I’m proud to say, “[I] did it!” like Elle Woods does at the end of Legally Blonde. I’ve survived 7 semesters at this fine institution and to no surprised I’m sad to leave. I’m not sad because I’m afraid of what comes next, but rather I’m sad to say goodbye to the life I have here. I can confidently confess that I’ve lived each semester to its fullest, participating in virtually every opportunity I ever wanted. I held 6 eBoard positions, worked 5 different campus jobs, studied abroad, graduated with honors and made memories I will cherish forever. There isn’t really any more I could have asked from my college experience.
As I say farewell to the amazing college life I have lived for the last 3.5 years, I wish to leave behind 5 pieces of advice to those who are entering, in or about to graduate from college.
1. Surround Yourself With Amazing People
Saying goodbye to Ithaca has been so hard because of the amazing friends and people I’ve had the privilege to get to know and work with over the last few years. When you surround yourself with amazing people as I have you have no choice to be the best person you can be. They truly motivate you to work hard and never give up. They make you laugh when you’re down (aka “you’re arm is soft” & the “ha” game), they listen when times are tough. They buy you lotion when you’re car is broken, let you watch them eat chocolate bunnies and bake you muffins when they’re stressed. They let you mooch off their Macbook chargers and pimp out their roommates.
Don’t give up on surrounding yourself with amazing people after freshman year. I met some of my closest friends sophomore, junior, even senior year.
2. Never Do Something That Doesn’t Make You Feel Good (Except for Homework)
College is expensive. Why would you ever pay thousands of dollars to do something that doesn’t inspire you, make you happy or teach you something? Exactly. Find clubs, organizations, activities that just ignite this flame of passion inside of you. Take classes outside your major that introduce you to new ideas and make you think outside of your comfort zone. Pick up that minor is COMPLETELY irrelevant to your possible job but interests you.
3. Study Away
Get off campus. Go to New York City, London, LA, Beijing, South Africa, DC, France, Germany, Italy, some place! Do it for a semester, a summer, during a break! No matter what, spend some time away from home or campus. You not only get to learn about the place you’ll be, you’ll learn about yourself, you’ll learn about other people and you’ll learn about yourself through other people. My experience abroad was unlike any other experience I’ve ever had and I know personally it will stay close to my heart forever.
4. Worry About the Real World A Little Bit
I’m probably the first person to encourage people to worry. Yes, worry. Worrying about your future isn’t a bad thing to do because it means you care. You don’t need to know what you want to do next but it is important to care about it. Worry about where you’re going to live, where you’re going to work and what you’re going to do. Once you’ve done all the worrying you can start putting all of the piece together which is incredibly exciting.
5. Be There Now
This is cliche but live in the moment. I cannot tell you how many times I kept worrying about tomorrow, or next week, or next month and before you know it time had past me by. Enjoy what is happening right now, right in front of you. If not you’ll blink and it will be all over.
So there you have it. My advice. Nothing you probably haven’t heard before but now I have a Bachelor’s degree so it has more value. Just kidding.
Marissa Osowsky 