Year 2: What (Else) I’ve Learned

Last year, I wrote a blog post entitled “Year 1: What I’ve Learned.” What better way to end my second year of college, then, by expanding on that post? With that, I present everything (well, not really – just a few things, actually) I’ve learned in my second year of the Concordia experience.  

It’s okay to take a break 

I don’t know about you, but sometimes college is a lot for me. Academics are one thing, but then there are, like, ten thousand other aspects of life to consider. For example, friends. Plus, for me, there’s organ practice, keeping up with people back home, thinking about graduate school, and making sure that I keep my dorm clean, my dishes washed, and my laundry done. If you don’t take time just to relax, all these things can pile up and get a little overwhelming. Even if it seems like spare minutes to spend on yourself are lacking, it’s okay to take time out of your schedule for them. If you aren’t intentional about some relaxation, it’s only going to result in some serious burnout in the long run.  

Changing your “life plan” is...sort of normal in college 

Yeah, the beginning of this school year involved a little bit of plan-changing. I’m seriously not trying to make myself feel better by saying this – changing your plan and changing your mind is completely normal! We’re college students. We’re not quite fully independent, our frontal lobes still aren’t completely developed, and we have a lot of big decisions to make in a short amount of time. Having some twists and turns in your path toward figuring out what you want to do with your life is natural, so don’t worry; just take new experiences and ideas as they come.  

Being a little spontaneous is good sometimes 

It can feel easy, and more importantly, safe to stick to a planned-out schedule, both on a day-to-day basis and in the long term. I know I tend to feel this way. Most of the time, I plan my days down to the minute and don’t like dealing with surprises. But even for someone like me, I’ve realized, that can get boring over time. Plus, it can make things seem too black-and-white, or rigid, creating difficulties when plans change. I’ve learned this year that sometimes “going with the flow” can be just as rewarding and satisfying as sticking to what I already know.  

Spending four days in the same dorm room with your friends is kind of a vibe 

Real story: this happened that one weekend in January when it was negative five million degrees for way too long – and Concordia actually canceled classes one day. My friends and I quite literally spent four days straight in our suite in Obed, just chilling together on the floor with our homework, crocheting projects, and books. We only left for meals, and even doing that was a process, mostly involving a lot of winter outerwear. Being able to get my friend’s car out of the parking lot was a big win that Monday, when we went to La Cocina for dinner. The weekend itself felt interminably long, but looking back, it is what I would call a “core memory.”  

Best study spots 

Update from last year: I still can’t decide what my favorite spot is! Lately, I’ve been loving the conference room upstairs in the library, the private glass rooms in Dunklau, and even sometimes in the new music building! So maybe I haven’t learned anything on that front... 

Anyway, learning new things in college isn’t just limited to what happens in your classes. Personally, I learned a lot about myself, about life, and about my faith this year. Whether the 2023-24 school year was super-duper easy for you or one of the hardest of your life, it’s nearing its close, and chances are that you’ve picked up a thing or two along the way. So be grateful today for the learning that’s taken place over the last eight or so months, and enjoy your transition into the summer season! 

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