3 Things I Wish I’d Known in College (and a New Project!)
Sending my children off to college has been a journey filled with profound pride and, yes, a touch of wistfulness. Watching them step into this exciting new phase of life, with all its unknowns, deeply resonated with my own experiences and sparked a desire to share some lessons learned. These reflections inspired my book, An I Love You Book for People About to Take on the World.
Yet, as I continued to observe my kids and their friends navigating their own triumphs and struggles, and reflecting on how my younger self might have benefited from a bit more foresight, I realized there was even more wisdom I wanted to share. This led to a new, exciting project: a daily, tear-off calendar specifically designed for new college students, aptly titled An I Love You Calendar for People About to Take on the World.
Looking back, there are three key things I wish I’d truly understood in college – lessons that, had I embraced them more fully, might have made that transformative time a little smoother:
Your support network is stronger than you think. It's easy to feel like you have to figure everything out on your own when you're away from home. But your family and other trusted adults genuinely love you and want to offer support. Don't hesitate to invite them into your concerns and struggles. Their wisdom is a powerful resource for navigating new challenges like budgeting, time management, or homesickness.
Faith is a dynamic journey, and it’s about relationship. In college, it's common for young adults to wrestle with their beliefs. It’s okay if some aspects of your faith feel challenging, or even if you find yourself in disagreement with certain doctrines. Your relationship with God is personal and evolving. Don't let a small percentage of doubt or struggle overshadow the vast majority of what you believe and experience as true. Dive in, ask questions, and continue to explore how your faith can be a living, guiding presence in your daily life, offering comfort and helping you engage with the world.
There’s no rush to "finish" and get to work. College is a unique time for exploration, learning, and personal growth. It's not just a race to a degree and a job. Unless you win the lottery, a lifetime of work awaits! Embrace the opportunity to deepen your knowledge, pursue diverse interests, and truly savor the learning process and the unexpected paths it might reveal.
In my own college days, I considered myself quite mature, but now I know that was a relative term for my age. My overconfidence often meant I rarely sought advice, a mistake that, in retrospect, led to less informed decisions. I also drifted from my faith, viewing “Church” more as a set of rules than a spiritual community. It truly took years for me to fully grasp the importance of nurturing my personal relationship with God and others. Additionally, I rushed through a double major, eager to finish university, without fully appreciating that there was ample time to prepare for a lifetime of meaningful work.
These foundational lessons, refined by many years of parenting and enriched by insights from collaborators of various Christian denominations, became the blueprint for my new calendar. An I Love You Calendar for People About to Take on the World offers daily reflections designed to provide guidance, inspiration, and encouragement for new college students. It's a resource crafted to help them navigate this exciting new phase of life, always reminding them of the profound truth that they are deeply loved.
Through its pages, which include weekly scriptures, thoughtful challenges, and uplifting prayers, I hope young adults will feel:
Supported and Understood: Knowing that common college experiences and emotions are acknowledged and addressed with relatable prompts and advice.
Inspired and Empowered: Motivated to set goals, cultivate good habits, and confidently approach new situations.
Comforted and Loved: Through the consistent theme of being "deeply loved" and weekly "Invite God's Genius" prayers, fostering a strong sense of spiritual connection and reassurance.
Challenged (in a good way): Encouraged by weekly challenges and daily questions to engage in self-reflection and take proactive steps toward personal development.
Well-Equipped: Providing practical guidance on topics such as budgeting, time management, and conflict resolution to help them feel prepared for the realities of college life.
The calendar aligns with the academic year and will be available very soon! If you're interested in learning more or securing your own copy, please drop me a line at lorel@lorelwilhelmvolpi.com.