Below are some lessons I wish I could tell my freshman self.
- Stop apologizing. You’re okay! But don’t let people see you as weak.
- Build in secret. You can show just enough to signal to people that you're hot stuff, but don't show more than necessary to block people from predicting your next move. If you're too vulnerable, people can to target you at your weakest.
- Don’t waste people’s time. Always arrive with intent or you’ll look mindless.
- Your biggest haters don’t matter. They’re likely people jealous of what you’ve achieved who want to bring you down with their own misery and insecurity. Don’t stoop to their level and bicker with them, nor let their insults eat away at your mind. Keep your head up and surround yourself with valuable friends, advocates, and mentors. They’ll believe in you.
- Stop talking about yourself unless prompted. Don’t you love feeling heard? Then make sure the person you’re talking to feels heard. They’ll want to talk with you again that much more.
- Know who not to trust. It’s hard to gauge, but after getting a sense, you need to be careful with who you share things to.
- Life is a marathon, not a race. I know people are always saying this… but it’s true! Comparison is the thief of joy. And what point is there in living if not to experience joy?
- Logic is important. No matter what decision you make, you should be able to explain it. Having a cohesive story makes you more digestible to people meeting you for the first time, especially when your time with them is limited.
- The busier you are, the more intentional you’ll be with your time. Yes, go hang out with that friend if it means you’ll do your assignment in one hour rather than mindlessly extending it over three.
