I have an opinion with a side of advice so brace yourselves and listen closely.
I attended an out-of-state college for 3 1/2 years until I had to transfer back home to Buffalo, and after a
year or two of “what the heck am I doing with my life?” I am finishing my degree at Buffalo State.
Yes, I realize that in my college years I am somewhat of a grandma but that’s not important. What you
need to pay attention to is my main mantra based on my own observations as an older student to a
younger student.
“Get it together.”
I know you are young and carefree without an idea of how the decisions you make now will cause
ramifications in your future, but it will. Come to the conclusion that you’ve had your fun and start
getting your life together.
Take care of your body. What you put in is what you get out. Your hohos and energy drinks are not the
breakfast of champions. “The Freshman Fifteen” is a reality and that’s because, sad as it is, your mother
is no longer next to you at mealtimes to force you to eat your veggies.
But she was right. Worry about what you are feeding your body. Read the ingredients and try to eat as
little processed food as possible. Our environment and nutrition has been known to lead to cancer and
other medical issues. There’s a reason for that – it’s the over-processed, sugary, empty calorie “food”
items we are eating.
Be in charge of your nutrition and take responsibility for it. It won’t be cute when you show up to your
10-year high school reunion looking like that grandma that got run over by that unruly reindeer.
I understand that now you can wash a hangover off your face with little effort using that cream from
Sephora. Spoiler Alert: this changes.
Every dose of drugs, sip of alcohol, and bowl of Ramen noodles will start sticking to your face and body
like cement paste and it will greet you every morning in the mirror like that ex you cannot get rid of.
Second item: life is expensive. If you haven’t noticed that now, then you still live with your parents. Your
part-time job at American Eagle might cover for you now, but after rent, food, phone bill, cable/internet
bill, water bill and your extra-curricular activities you’ll be beyond broke.
Think long term about your career choice and what options you have for healthcare. Lastly, developing
better relationships with your family, friends, and significant other is important to maintaining a happy,
healthy future.
Your hormones are evening out and you can have developed a relationship with a significant other that
isn’t a drama rollercoaster filled with manipulation, mind games and you crying into your phone every
night like Chelsea from Teen Mom. Take time to maturely discuss your points of view, future plans and
goals, and what birth control you will use. Make good decisions about which people you want to be
friends with.
It’s not high school, where you can be friends with whoever you want to be. Choosing supportive,
respectful, and mature friends will help you grow and change for the better. Spend more time with your
positive family members because you begin to realize they are always there for you and will love the
person you are becoming.
Behavior you should avoid if you are looking to mature and cherish your imminent future: Friday night’s
spent drinking something that tastes like gasoline then puking in your roommate’s trashcan, walks of
shame including not recognizing the face you wake up to, “party” friends who will leave you on the side
of the road in a puddle of your own urine and forcing your peers to take shots at parties when they have
to be up at 6 a.m. for their internship.
Growing up is becoming who you are and loving that person. It means developing self-respect and
feeling comfortable with making better decisions for yourself and your future. You don’t have to swap
heavy vodka partying with strangers doing the Harlem Shake for Earl Grey Tea, a sophisticated cat, and
no social life that includes in bed at 9 p.m. after watching Jeporady, but just think about your life and
what you want it to look like. This is the time where the decisions you make will have the most effect on
your future. So get it together!
Rachel Sandle can be reached by email at sandle.record@live.com.