Written by: Emily White
As the school year creeps to a close, many soon-to-be graduates are looking back at their college lives, reviewing what went well and what could have gone better. Current students: take notes! Learn from those who came before you!
OPPORTUNITIES
“Say ‘yes’ to everything that expands your experience. Try new places to eat or different circles of friends. Also, be comfortable saying no to things that would limit your experiences.”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
“Take advantage of the resources Southern offers.”
–Vashti Brantley, liberal arts elementary education major
“Try to get involved in a ministry, club or any other activity around campus! Getting involved will be your opportunity for personal growth :)”
–Nathalie Jacome, clinical psychology major
“Find a hiking group and go hiking each week. I spent many awesome Sabbath afternoons hiking with great friends in the beautiful nature of Tennessee.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
“Do ACA or be an SM!! Traveling the world and experiencing different cultures will really expand your mind.”
–Amy Van Arsdell, history and Spanish major
“Take advantage of the mission trips at Southern! They are fun, well organized and a huge blessing. Additionally, they’re by far the cheapest you’ll ever get to go on a mission trip, so snag the opportunity while you’re here!”
–Matthew Kimbley, piano performance and music theory and literature major
“Balance college fun with serious effort for your future! While grinding internships and projects for their own sake isn’t the goal, I’ve seen people who take this seriously do really well during and after college, while some who don’t have struggled. So make memories with friends and have fun, but at the same time take college seriously.”
–Allen Gustrowsky, computer science major
“Make time to enjoy the outdoors :)”
–Katelyn Snyder, music major
SPIRITUAL LIFE
“The most important thing is to start your day with time with God in devotions. I found it helps my confidence, my studies and my happiness :)”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
“Attend a LifeGroup each week. Authentic Christian fellowship and community is so important for your spiritual life.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
SOCIAL
“Enjoy each moment of your time in college. Find your community and make memories.”
–Vashti Brantley, liberal arts elementary education major
“Meet someone new every week! College is a unique time in life where you’re surrounded with really cool people and a handful of not-cool people, so the best thing is to always be expanding your circle of friends so that you can learn from both sides of life — both the people you really connect with and the people you don’t connect with so much.”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
RELATIONSHIPS
“If you’re interested in someone, ask them out! Stop sitting around waiting for something to happen — take action instead! In addition, don’t be afraid to try things out with multiple people. Dating around can help you figure out what you want and don’t want in a long-term relationship.”
–Emily White, music theory and literature major
“Don’t date in college. It’s not worth it.”
–Anonymous
CAMPUS LIFE
“Go to events on campus! Sometimes people get really disengaged, and they don’t go to things, but you should!”
–Amy Van Arsdell, history and Spanish major
“Attend the music concerts on campus.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
ACADEMICS
“I took too many classes. I should have taken it easier and taken more fun classes like welding and mountain biking. . . . I wish that I had taken less classes and done the concerto competition.”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
“Don’t procrastinate. You are going to do it, but if you can prevent it, by all means prevent it. It ain’t worth it to read two books in a week.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
WORK
“Sometimes, productivity can be an idol. Be sure to take some time to rest!”
–Brett Klasing, clinical psychology major
