Well, I’m three weeks in, and college has officially become a very real thing in my life. Like a big thing. Like a big, stressful, time consuming, real thing. It could be the fact that I’ve moved 5 hours away from home, begun attending 12 credit hours of class per week, or that I literally live at school (yeah, that’s probably it…) but all I can say is this is real – and as stressful or crazy or sleep-depriving as it gets, I’m actually loving it.

So I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I am a homebody. I am much more likely to sit at home with a cup of coffee in hand and Netflix on my computer screen than to go out. It’s who I am; it’s who I’ve always been. In high school, I passed up so many opportunities to go do something because I imagined that I was probably having a better time not doing anything anyways. (Yes, I am aware of how lame that sounds… but hey it worked for me for 18 years – no use in messing with a well-functioning system right???) 

There’s this weird thing that happens when you go to college, though. Suddenly you’re immersed in the world of school – the world of doing something – and doing something all the time. At first I was really turned off to that reality. I was content with knowing that I’m here for school and as long as I keep up with my grades and homework and studying, I’d be good.

As the first week passed, though, I would sit in my dorm room and although I was mostly content to have some “me time” I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe I should go do something… I would necessarily call it a fear of missing out, it was more of a fear of wasting time. I realized that suddenly I had the desire to do something because all of the time I spent doing nothing felt like wasted days that led into wasted nights… I mean, college is meant for doing stuff, and down time will come late (maybe? hopefully??)

So what is the point of this revelation?? Why did I want to tell you about my altered mindset?? It’s pretty simple actually, it’s just one, basic, maybe even potentially life-changing thought: just say yes.

When people ask you to go out (as long as it involves doing things you’re comfortable with… I’m not telling you to go crazy!) just say yes. When people invite you to club meeting or Bible studies or sporting events or lunch or just want to go to the library with you, say yes.

What is the worst that could possibly happen?

If you get bored, make it fun. If you’re uncomfortable, leave. If you have a terrible time, don’t do it again.

But what is the best that could happen?

You make new friends. You create great memories. You have a total blast. You end up with stories to tell. You have new experiences to share. You make the absolute most of the time you’re given.

The list goes on and on but what it comes down to is that we are granted a limited time on this earth. We have an end point; one day, time will run out and the last thing you’ll want is to wish you had said no a little less and yes a little more.

So just say yes and have a GREAT time doing it.