12 reflections of a post-grad

Recently I’ve been reflecting on my undergraduate experience as it pertains to my future. Here’s what I’ve learned/ thought of:

1. The tests and exams and deadlines suck. They really do. But really, SUCK IT UP and be appreciative that you have the opportunity to learn. Some people work their butts off to get the education that you’re getting. Your problems at school are good problems to have.

2. Moreover, be more-than-appreciative that you have the opportunity to learn from professors who are experts in their field, And don’t just be appreciative of them – engage with them. Talk. Get to know them. They’re older than you and have more experience (obviously) in their field, so they could teach you a thing or two, or become your mentor/adviser. I sincerely regret not getting to know a professor, who happened to be the previous Dean of Annenberg, of two classes I took – one in 2005, one in 2009. He’s brilliant, charming, enthusiastic, passionate, and overzealous about what he teaches, that Geoffrey Cowan, and yet I was always too intimidated/scared to go into his Office Hours for fear of sounding incompetent in his presence. Only now do I realize that he’s either on the Chair/Board/President of/Founder of/Grand Wizard Master of various orgs I’m interested in.

3. Meet lots of people. It’s fun for your social life, especially if they are from different circles. I have friends who were RAs, Greek socialites, GDIs, Annenbergers, advisers, and they’ve all enriched my life in so many ways. Secondly, they’ll be your network when you graduate.

4. Befriend good people who are achievers. They’ll subconsciously motivate you to do your best. Surround yourself with positive people and go-getters, and you’ll find yourself acting/being the same way. I have a friend who is the same age as me, but she is my role model. Sometimes she astounds me so much with all the activities in which she is involved as well as her stellar, caring personality, that I am often in awe that she is my friend. In certain problematic situations I’ll ask myself what she’d do to find the right answer.

5. Oh, befriend international students. They are so cool to talk to. The accents rock, yea, but I’ve found that some of the coolest people I met at SC were the int’l kids. They’ve grown up often in a country with different ideals, and it’s so incredibly fascinating to swap stories and gain perspective about the world outside your own. If you can’t study abroad, meet the people. Exchange culture. Your finest tools for exploring the world are right at your fingertips if you just seek to meet and befriend them.

6. Help the younger ones (freshmen) out with your words-of-wisdom. It’ll make you feel good but will also remind you of how far you’ve come, how much you’ve changed, how much you’ve grown in the few months/years you’ve been in school. It’ll ground you and force you to realize that we’re all on the same boat. You’re not better than someone because you’re older than him/her.

7. Embrace diversity.

8. College flies by soooo fast. It’s only been months after I’ve graduated and I can already say that college was the best time of my life. Even if I go back for my Master’s, my experience will not measure to my undergrad days when I could meet up with my friends at 3am to play Rockband; have midnight pancake parties; walk to the Colliseum for a football game without having to worry about parking; party at “Club Leavey Library” haha; splash around in the USC fountains; play capture-the-flag at midnight; go to a roller rink with 2 hours notice of the event; etc. etc. College. It rocks.

9. USC is a fine, fine institution and I couldn’t thank my parents enough for affording me the opportunity to go there. I love my alma mater.

10. Pursue what you’re interested in and do what you know IN YOUR HEART what you love to do. Listen to Robert Frost: take the road less traveled. Listen to Franz Wisner: if given the choice between two paths, choose the machete. Just freakin’ listen up! You only have one shot at life, so do it right and do it with passion. Listen to yourself.

11. Call your friends from home and return their calls. It’s common courtesy. You know each other. Plus, they know the old you and could probably blackmail you…just kidding, sort of.

12. Forgive and forget all that is involved in high school drama. It’s old and done with. There’s more drama likely to be made, and even if that’s not true, it’s just a burden to hold onto grudges. Apologize. Kiss and make up. People change!