Lessons well learned

It’s hard to believe that a third of the semester has flown by. After endless metro rides, museum detours, and fascinating classes, the transition from campus life to “the real-world” has been challenging. I’ve learned more about myself than I ever anticipated, some lessons harder than others, but all beneficial.

1. College is not the real world. Everything is different – there’s no grades, no social hierarchy, no weekend escapes. You have to think on your own and use your own better judgement in every situation. I’ve come to realize that I’m an adult, and the world expects me to act accordingly. You have to use the tools of an undergraduate education, not necessarily the textbook facts, but skills including time management, organization, practicality, and efficiency. The process is just as important as the final result, so being thorough every step of the way is absolutely critical. As a mentor once told me, “Education without practical application is useless information”.
2. Despite everyone constantly urging you to “have a plan”, it’s nice to achieve a goal and plateau for a while. Ever since I started applying to colleges my junior year of high school, I’ve been in constant transition thinking about “the next step”. Sure, having a plan is important, but it’s also important not to downplay the success of achieving a goal before marching proudly onto the next task. Having a loose idea of what your future entails is far more beneficial than something scripted, primarily because change is inevitable. You have the rest of your life to “accomplish”, so be sure to stop and smell the roses every once in a while.
3. The more the merrier – not necessarily true. Being part of such a small class (this semester’s W&M in DC program is only 5 students!), I’ve come to realize the value of peers.  Everyone thinks differently, and being in such a closed classroom atmosphere, it’s beneficial to hear everyone’s thoughts and understand their opinions. In larger classes, you can be swept under the rug by the same students who answer questions incessantly. It’s amazing to have a close teacher-classroom relationship.
4. It’s okay to ask questions. The only thing we’re certain of is being uncertain. It’s always better to ask and do it right the first time than to put on your façade of know-it-all-ness and do it wrong, only to be told otherwise. There is no harm in wanting clarity, from making sure your format is correct to ensuring you’re getting on the right train heading home.
5. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished (even if you’re still an undergrad!). I’m the youngest intern at the Kennedy Center by a long shot – everyone is in grad school and I’m only a sophomore! I didn’t think I was qualified for my position, but low and behold, from my work experience to what I’ve gained at W&M, here I am. Don’t ever cut yourself down – you never know what the basis of comparison is for the general applicant pool. And remember, William & Mary is reputable for a reason!