Hello guys, Joey Lynn here with some friendly advice about how to survive college (at least the first two years.) I am currently a junior at the famed University of Georgia. When I first came to the great college town of Athens, I arrived with some preconceived notions, one of which was that everybody would go through some tumultuous times. I expected my problems to be the simplest of college problems: money and keeping a respectable GPA. I have been fortunate to not have to struggle too much with money, thanks in large part to CSO. I have also been quite successful in keeping my grade point average competitive. At least up until the Spring Semester of my second year. My grades took a sharp dive. Naturally, I panicked. The worst part, though, was that even when I realized my grades were slipping down, I still could not motivate myself to do better. It took a bit of late-night introspection to figure out why. I had lost my goal. During my sophomore year, I changed my major twice. I went from a Social Studies Education major, to a History major, and then to English. I never thought that I was going to be one of those cliche’ college students who change their majors numerous times. I was, though. I am. I lost confidence in what I was doing. I was no longer sure who I wanted to be. At first, it was a very disconsolate feeling. I couldn’t stop asking myself, “What is wrong with you, Joey?” I very honestly never expected that to happen to me. I came to realize, though, that it is perfectly okay to develop those feelings. In fact, after talking with some of my peers, it’s actually pretty typical. I lost my way. By losing my way, however, I knew I was pointed in the right direction. I was learning, questioning, challenging the very essence of who I thought I was to arrive at a very new place. I had one of those epiphanies from childhood. I can be ANYTHING I want to be. Cliche’, right? It’s true, though, and more true in college than it will ever be. I didn’t need to worry about what I was going to do with my English degree (commonly referred to as the “Do-Nothing Degree.) I just needed to continue to enjoy this great time in my life. I just needed to continue to attend this world-class institution where I could learn from some of the best minds in the world. And, when I realized that, I realized what I was going to do. It turns out that I essentially just went in a big circle, but I came out with a stronger confidence in myself and what I was doing. So, if ever in the future you find yourself completely and utterly lost, don’t fret. Push forward, embrace that you aren’t sure who you are. Your real-self will find you. You don’t have to go looking for it.
