Good morning, my friends!
This past May, I completed my freshman year of Bible college in Kentucky. Yay-I survived! Haha! And although I'm far from an expert, I did take some notes on things that worked, some things that DID NOT work, and some things that I would have changed.
If you are heading off to college in a couple of weeks, this newsletter might be for you!
If you know of someone who is heading off to college, this newsletter might be for you!
If you knew me before I went to college and ever wondered, "Hmm, I wonder how she's doing down there. . . " Then this newsletter is definitely for you! Haha!
And if none of these apply to you, but you are in need of a good laugh, this newsletter is also for you! Haha!
Again, I am not an expert in the college arena, but if I had to do my freshman year over, I would have done these things differently!
Enjoy!
At my college, the laundry room was in a different building, and on a different floor. After a couple of laundry days, I came to the conclusion that hauling all of my dirty clothes and lugging around my gallon of detergent. . . was just exhausting. I saw many of the “seasoned" upper classman girls sporting around these hampers. It would have made wash days much more breezy!
Two: Car Advice for Girls
If the car makes any kind of funny noise. . . do not ignore it! Cars at college are a huge blessing, but can also be a royal pain . . . if you–like me–are illiterate in automotive ailments! Haha! If I could give you two words of advice from all the fiascos I had with my car, it would be this: 1. Do not ignore any funny noises your car starts to make! Get it checked out ASAP! 2. Keep in mind, there are many male staff members and other college boys who know a lot about cars! When in doubt, ask the engine gurus.
Yes, I melted my dishes once or . . . twice at college. Before popping something into the microwave, check the bottom of the dish for the words “MICROWAVE SAFE." I would recommend buying a Pyrex measuring cup or even a soup cup.
Four: Freshmen Ministry Advice
At my college, I had the opportunity to choose some of the ministries I was involved with, and here's my honest opinion. A freshman should choose a ministry that is very basic and generic in order to get the highest quality learning experience. I did not do this my freshman year; I joined a "specialty" bus route (we exclusively ministered to Nepali and Bhutanese families). While this was an incredible experience, I wish I had joined a traditional bus route for my freshman year (in order to learn more about the bus ministry) and then my second year, switched to the Nepali Bus Route (to learn more about ministering to a different culture.)
Five: Dishwashing Supplies
For when you have that random spoon you want to wash! Haha! Make sure you have some soap, a scrubby and a towel.
Six: Planner
Please - purchase and stick to a planner! I put everything in my planner . . . every test and quiz, all of my shifts for work, all of my paydays, my laundry days, even naps, my printer codes, the computer passwords, my college address . . . I would joke around with my friends and say, “The day I lose my planner is the day I’ll lose my mind!” And as a prank, my friend hid it for a day!
Seven: Good Grade "Hack"
For good grades, get every possible point. I know that this sounds like common sense, but I saw a lot of other students do this. They would calculate what grade they needed to pass, meet that minimum requirement, and then disregard everything else. If an assignment is due on Monday, but it can be turned in on Tuesday for only four points left . . . turn it in on Monday! Haha! I promise you, that simple step will hand you shimmering grades on a silver platter!
Eight: Zinc
During both semesters, I struggled a lot with respiratory illnesses. I believe it was due to many things like . . . poor sleep, mold exposure, influenza season, Kentucky allergies . . . but I was perpetually sick "in my chest." I could not shake the junk out of my lungs. This went on for weeks. The only thing that seemed to shake it were zinc tablets like these.
Seven: Coworker Advice
Before going to college, there can be concerns about who your roommates will be. But I say, think more about who your coworkers will be. You will spend more time with the people you work with than you will with your roommates. I was a bit selective when it came to who I would be working with, and that made a huge difference. The college kids that became my coworkers eventually became my best friends.
Eight: The Truth About Mistakes
College is where learning happens. Some of the things you learn are class subjects (English, History, etc.), and some of the things that you learn are life lessons (humility, communication, patience, etc.) Understand that some of the lessons you learn are going be messy! But when you mess up, apologize, accept the lesson, and move on. It's easy to think you're the only one who is failing, but actually, all of your peers are making mistakes, too! What counts is that you recover quickly. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:” (Proverbs 24:16)
Nine: Resume
Up until college, I had never assembled a resume because my job at home didn’t require one. So before leaving, my dad helped me format a resume. This has served me well in college and beyond (I'm still using and editing that original document. It's so handy!) Do not forget to add all of your ministry experience. If you have been working in the nursery ever since you were 13, put those dates in there. Employers like to see all of the areas that you’ve taken responsibility. In my opinion, Baptist kids who have “always” worked in church have the upper hand in volunteer experience! Haha! Once you're done with assembling your resume, save a copy of it on your phone. You would be surprised when you might need it!
Ten: Thrift Store Solutions
It’s inevitable, you are going to need to buy more clothes while in college. Instead of running straight to the mall, shop around second-hand stores first. I find more stuff that fits right at a thrift store than I do at a department store–I promise!
Since I was the "blessed" roommate who got the top bunk, I ate, read my Bible, and did my homework Indian-style on the floor. So at Christmas break, my parents bought me a moon chair! Oh my goodness, I felt like a queen in this! Haha!
Twelve: Make Your Own Coffee Fix
Calling all coffee drinkers-I’ve got something for ya! You will save SOOOOO much money, if you invest in a coffee maker. It may be tempting to run to the coffee shop with all of your friends for your coffee fix. . . but just do the math. . .
My favorite fru-fru drink costs (fill in the blank)
X
How many times I buy coffee per week
X
4 Weeks per month
X
9 Months per year at college
=
How much money I could have had
in my pocket!
What I’m saying is, save your money and make coffee in your dorm room. Which brings me to my next point. . .
Thirteen: save, Save, SAVE!!!
SAVE your MONEY!!!! I’ll say it again, SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!! With your paycheck, you should be able to take care of your school bill, pay for gas, buy your weekly necessities, and then put away a decent chunk into a savings account. The most money I have ever made was in college. On top of all of my living and college expenses, I was able to save up for a mission trip to Africa in a matter of months and still had money left over. I'm not saying that to brag or anything, but to challenge you to squirrel money into savings all throughout college!
I hope some of these tips have helped!
If you are heading off to college this semester or next semester. . . you’ll do great! Just remember that the Lord is your strength and your song. With Him, you’ll do more than you ever thought was possible!
If you know anyone you think would also be encouraged by this newsletter, please feel free to share this email with them!
With Love,
