If the only thing you are taking with you when you graduate is a degree, you’re doing it wrong.

Yes, making good grades is important but there are many other important lessons to learn during this time of your life. College is where you not only gain a coveted education but are also encouraged to learn more about yourself.

Take the time to see other perspectives and use them to your advantage, changing your perspective as desired. At USAO especially, we are provided such a multi-cultural environment and the benefits to being able to experience other cultures are underrated.

Here a few tips to get the most out of college, in addition to a degree:

1) It is important to learn what does not suit you in order to know what does.

The bad decisions are just as important as the good ones. After all, how would you know it’s a bad decision until you make it? In college, you have this freedom of being out and experiencing the world firsthand but still a bit monitored. Remember that being messy is okay. There is no rulebook on “how to college”. It is all up to you. College is a blank, white canvas and you hold the palette.

1 ½) You are young, you do not need to have your life figured out.

This can be applied in all aspects of your life. You do not have to have your major figured out as a freshman. You do not have to stay with that boy/girl just because you have been dating for three years. You do not even have to know what your favorite color is. This time in your life is the time to explore yourself in wider aspects. Let yourself experience life, then conclude without predispositions.

2) College friendships are much different than high school friendships.

High school births many temporary friendships. You become friends with people just because you see them every day and it would be awkward if you weren’t friends. College gives you this space to explore different people and even experiment with friendships. As you change yourself you may find that friends in the fall do not necessarily fit you in the spring, and that is okay. Remember, friendship is a choice not an obligation.

3) Lastly, grades are important…but so is your sanity.

Odds are, if you have made it to the collegiate level you have a work ethic in progress. Maybe you are like me and you have had it beaten into your head that anything less than an A++ is disappointing. A very hard lesson I had to force myself to learn in high school is that grades do not define you as a person nor as a student. It is a hard task juggling homework, work, family, friends, and keeping up with binge watching every TV series on Netflix (all of which are important for a healthy mind… well maybe not Netflix… but still). I am here to tell you it is okay to let go of that B+ worthy paper in order to eat breakfast with your friends. Sometimes doing your best isn’t gold-worthy, and that is okay. Keep your priorities straight and your life physically, emotionally, and socially healthy.