22 COLLEGE LESSONS TUITION FREE

GO IN UNDECIDED BECAUSE AT 17 AND 18 YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE

This is number one for a reason. Most people have no idea what they want to do for the rest of their life at 17 or 18. I went into college thinking I wanted to be a teacher, after five in years of working I childcare I quickly decided that I did not want to do that forever. So I changed to business but guess what I suck at math, I finally figured out that I should be a Communication major. I came to this conclusion after I had already paid for 20 hours of courses that don’t even count. Go in undecided, figure out what your strengths, and weaknesses are, research what you want to do, then declare a major.

BECOME FRIENDS WITH COFFEE

Joe has been my best friend throughout college. I think for a while I lived on coffee and dreams. Seriously if I could add up all the coffee I have drank in the past five years it would probably fill a swimming pool.

BU

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UP

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Have group of people in your life who believe in you when you don’t believe in yourself. I am very blessed to have people like this in my life. Also find people who have been through college before to help you out. As a first gen graduate I did not have this. I had to figure out how to fill out FASFA, what scholarships to apply for, what rate my professor was, and where to find the cheapest text books.

ON

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Everyone tells you this and no one really listens I am telling you if you don’t follow any other advice on here  follow this one. Those loans are expensive!

DON’T TAKE 18 HOURS, WORK ,AND INTERN

DON’T TAKE 8AM CLASSES

BEER AND WHISKEY DON’T MIX

just take my word on this one, they are not friends unless its apple cider beer and fireball whiskey

DON’T DRUNK DIAL/ DRUNK TEXT

it is never a good idea NEVER

DON’T BE ALL WORK AND NO PLAY

take a break, cut lose, on the other hand  don’t be all play and  no work

DON’T TAKE IMPORTANT CLASSES THE SEMESTER YOU TURN 21

take bowling or fishing, easy stuff that you don’t mind being hung over for ( Math+ hangover=headache^2) in addition to this don’t drink so much in  your 21st

year that year check liver light comes on.

BE RESPONSIBLE. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE A CAB IS ALWAYS CHEAPER THAN A DUI. I MEAN DO YOU REALLY WANT TO END UP ON THIS MAGAZINE.

SOMETIMES GREAT FAILURE CAN EQUAL GREAT SUCCESS SO DON’T GIVE UP

Need proof on this Martin Luther King Jr. one of the greatest public speakers of all time got a D in his first public speaking class, but he refused to let that stand in his way.

NEVER LOSE FAITH

God is always with you and sometimes he will turn your life upside down to show you what stands up right

TRUST GOD

Trust God with all your heart, he will show where you are supposed to go and trust me he will be loud and clear about it.  

DON’T WORRY ABOUT NOTHING PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING

Pray for peace, pray for guidance, pray for love, pray that you will pass that test. My favorite college memory happened right before I took my last final. My classmates and I stepped into the hall way held hands and one the guys led one the most heartwarming prayers I have ever heard. It was a powerful moment and we all felt peace afterwards. Guess what everyone in that class passed!

DON’T BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION ON UNSTURDY THINGS

this is a lesson I have learned from observation and something I want to stress to young girls and boys. So many times I have seen a young girl build her foundation on a guy, give him everything, give up her plans to be with him and 90% of the time it falls apart. This doesn’t just go for relationships being from a small town that Tim McGraw song Drugs or Jesus pretty much rings true. I have seen so many of my peers, family, and friends get consumed by drugs. Their lives become all about how to get their next fix no matter the cost, or who they hurt in the process.  Don’t build your foundation like this because it will only fall apart.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

KEEP POSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS I am very lucky to have

positive friendships in my life. I have group of friends who genuinely support each other. For example my best friend called me a couple of weeks ago and told me she got a new job and I could not have been happier for her. I love hearing about my friends getting engaged and how excited they are to be planning a wedding. The girls do the same for me I have received cards, and very sweet messages about graduation.  There isn’t any jealously in these friendships just pure joy.

GET RID OF NEGATIVE FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS

don’t surround yourself with people who bring you down. Those people whose actions make you question your self-worth do not belong in your life. I know it’s hard but please just walk away from them.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET MARRIED BEFORE YOUR 25

This is one of my biggest pet peeves being from the south and very traditional southern family I have family members who think that I am doomed to die alone because I am no where near getting married and I am 24. I can’t stand this I choose to go to college and build a carrier marriage is not a part of the plan yet. For those of you who have found someone and are married young good for you I mean no disrespect. I am saying that there is no need to panic if you are not, you are not going to be an old mom if you have kids in your 30’s and guess what the right person will come along when you are ready.  So tell grandma to stop nagging.

DON’T LET FAILURE CONSUME YOU

I did this. I carried  the heavy weight of disappointment, and failure for so long that I crumbled. I feel into a deep dark hole and it took years for me to finally claw my way back.  

NEVER LOSE YOUR COURAGE TO DREAM BIG

I did not think college was an option for me financially, until I got that acceptance letter in the mail and my mother and I danced in the kitchen. I did think I would ever graduate. Two years ago I was ready to drop out and just give up.  I am so glad I didn’t.  It has taken me five years, and a ton of coffee, many late nights, many early mornings, blood, sweat, and tears a lot of tears, but it will all be worth it. Tomorrow Thursday  December 12th at 2: 00 pm I, Makayla Lynn Richards will be the first person in my family to walk across the stage and finally receive a Bachelors Degree in Communication.