My capacity to give profound advice is limited..

But, I keep getting asked to make a list of "Things I wish I had known before I started my first year of college" kind of thing. So here goes, take it as you will, in all seriousness, or with a little bit of wit and winsome in there. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something.

1. Be prepared to eat one meal by yourself every single day. And don't be embarrassed about it. I mean, sure you will feel a little awkward and lame because you are sitting on a bench or in the student center and you have no friends and you are stuffing your face full of bagels and pizza or a subway sandwich dripping in honey mustard, but that's okay. That's life. You get to spend some time with yourself. You get to write a blog post without interruption and sometimes you're lucky enough to listen in on some great dating conversations.

*GASP* "She's not Mormon? No wonder she asked YOU out."

"Maybe she just wants to watch a movie and cuddle."

"Yeah I don't want to get into any trouble, you know making out and stuff."

"What IS the difference between snuggling and cuddling?" 

So what if you're eating by yourself, you've got 99 problems but eating that dribbling sandwich ain't one.

2. You don't have to have your major decided on your first day. Or your first week. OR your first year. Unless you are trying to get into the Marriott School of Business at BYU...or anything in the Communications program...then you should probably have an idea. Unless you're me, but still you don't have to have it all figured out right away. Take some classes, explore a little bit, and DON'T YOU EVER LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOUR MAJOR IS WORTHLESS OR USELESS OR THAT IT WILL LEAD YOU TO A LIFE OF POVERTY AND ENDLESS WOE. It's not true and you should study what makes you happy, because heck, you are putting in the money and hard work. You might as well be doing something you love. And that's all.

3. It takes two to tango. If you're going to BYU maybe it's a different story because boys and girls will tango with whoever they please and they will try and try again even if the other person can't dance or is tangoed out. Really though, if you want to get to know someone or hang out with them...put in the effort. It works. I promise. Sorta.

4. You are not a loser if you are alone on a Friday night.

5. The dollar theatre is always a go-to.

6. Find the best pizza place in town.

7. Don't take yourself so seriously (laughing at yourself is very theraputic) and stop comparing yourself to others. There will always be someone who is better than you at something. There will always be a valedictorian, a student body president, a champion athlete, a blonde/brunette/ginger bombshell that has better hair, there is always something. It's fine though because girl, you're amazing. Just the way you are.

8. College is NOT high school, and high school does not prepare you for college. It takes hard work, a lack of sleep, talking with professors, a few tears, and a lot of stressed out days but it is completely and totally worth it. Believe me, high school was the easy part and it definitely wasn't the best part of your life.

9. Road trips.

10. Finally, but probably not my last bit of advice or things you should know but something that I'll end on. Go on a journey to find yourself. Find who you are. Discover what you love to do. Develop a sense of style, watch sports with your friends, paint your nails, buy that blouse you have always wanted, get a job, go looking for your dreams, talk about intelligent things, don't let people tell you who to like and who not to like you can like whoever you want even if someone else likes you you really don't have to like them just because of that, don't worry so much about what others think of you, because their opinion isn't all that matters in life. Find those that do matter. Those who are helping you become better because those people will really help you on your endless journey of self-discovery and it really is a beautiful thing.

What would you add to this list? 
What advice would you give the little graduates?
How is your journey going?
Comment below.
Stay gold.


"NO, guys we are done NCMOing!"