“You only learn half the things you need to know in the classroom.” When I first heard that saying, I brushed it off as something adults said to make school sound deeper than it really was. But now, a few years into college, I understand how true it is. College is about so much more than lectures, exams and grades, it’s about growth. It’s about learning who you are when no one is around to tell you what to do. It’s about figuring out how to balance it all, even when times get tough. You do most of your learning outside the classroom, in the quiet moments when you’re alone for the first time, in the mistakes that make you rethink your plans and in the friendships that challenge and support you. College is kind of like a crash course in independence, resilience and self-discovery. These are the lessons that have shaped me the most.

Lesson #1: Independence is a privilege

Being alone for the first time is scary. I remember those early days of moving into my dorm, waving goodbye to my family and realizing that no one was around to remind me to eat dinner or to get to class on time. Suddenly, I had complete freedom, and that was both exciting and terrifying.

But what I didn’t realize then was that independence is a privilege. It’s something not everyone gets to experience so early in life. Being on my own meant I got to make my own choices, what to study, how to spend my time and who to spend it with. Sure, I made plenty of small mistakes, like accidentally overcooking my mac n’ cheese or staying up way too late before an exam, but those were all parts of figuring it out.

Once I became comfortable being alone, I started to discover who I truly enjoy spending time with. When you’re no longer afraid of being by yourself, you learn that your time and energy are valuable. You stop filling your schedule just to feel busy and start surrounding yourself with people who genuinely add to your life. Independence taught me how to be my own best friend, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry far beyond college.

Lesson #2: You can't pour from an empty cup

If there’s one thing college students are known for, it’s being busy. Between classes, part time jobs, activities and social events, it can feel like there is never a break. For a while, I believed that constant hustle was the only key to success. I would push through exhaustion, skip meals and convince myself that I could rest later.

Eventually, I learned the hard way that you can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t give your best to others, or even to yourself, if you’re running on empty. Taking care of yourself doesn’t make you lazy, it makes you a sustainable person.

I started finding little ways to refill my cup. Sometimes it meant going to Half Acre just to clear my head, calling my family to hear their voices or simply taking a nap and watching a show without feeling guilty. Other times it meant saying no to plans so I could have a quiet night in. I realized that the most productive thing I can do for myself is to rest. Balance doesn’t happen naturally, you have to be intentional about it. And when you do, everything else feels easier.

Lesson #3: invest in your friendships

Good friendships are one of the greatest things to come from college, but I quickly learned they don’t just happen, you have to actually work for them. Having a good friendship takes effort, patience and genuine care. You’re not going to have lasting relationships if both people aren’t willing to put in the work.

For me, this meant learning how to reach out and put myself out there. In high school, friendships often formed naturally because you saw the same people every day or simply had friends from the teams you were on. In college, it’s different. You have to be willing to make the first move like sending a text, starting the conversation or inviting someone to coffee. At first, that was very uncomfortable for me. But the more I did it, the more I realized that everyone is in the same boat and looking for friends too.

I also learned that you don’t have to be best friends with everyone you meet. Some friendships are meant to be short but can still be meaningful. Others grow slowly and last a lifetime. The key is to invest your time and energy in the people who lift you up and make you feel like yourself. There’s something special about having friends who see you at your best and worst and choose to stay. Those are the people worth investing in.

Lesson #4: failure is really feedback

If there’s one lesson college has taught me over and over again, it’s that failure isn’t the end of the world, it’s just feedback. I used to see failure as something to avoid at all costs. A bad grade, a missed opportunity or a rejection email felt like proof that I wasn’t good enough. But I’ve learned that failing is not only okay, it’s necessary. What matters most is how you respond after a failure.

Every time I fell short of my expectations, I gained a new piece of insight. Maybe I needed to manage my time better, ask for help sooner or simply just give myself grace. Each setback pushed me to grow in ways success never could.

Failure looks different for everyone, and comparing my journey to someone else’s would have only made things harder. I had to learn that success isn’t a competition, it’s a personal journey. When I stopped measuring my achievements against others and started focusing on my own progress, I felt better and more confident. In the end, failure became one of my best teachers. It showed me that progress isn’t always a straight line, it’s full of twists, turns and valuable lessons along the way.

Lesson #5: Change is uncomfortable, but good

Change has never been easy for me. Every new semester, every move to a different apartment or class schedule, came with its own kind of nerves. College is full of change with new people, new environments and new responsibilities. At first, it all felt overwhelming. But what I’ve come to understand is that change is uncomfortable because it’s pushing you to grow. The things that scared me most at first, living on my own, joining a new club or trying out internships, ended up being the most rewarding experiences.

Everything in college is going to be scary and new at first, but it is what you make of it. You can either let fear hold you back or lean into the discomfort and see where it takes you. I’ve learned that being uncomfortable doesn’t last forever. The first week of something new always feels uncertain, but before long, it becomes your new normal.

Embracing change has allowed me to discover opportunities I never would have found otherwise. It taught me to trust the process and believe that growth often starts with a little discomfort.

Lesson #6: the silly (but important) lessons

Not every lesson in college comes with deep reflection. Some are just small, funny things you learn along the way, the little reminders that life doesn’t always have to be serious. For instance, I learned that certain things absolutely cannot go in the dryer. Let’s just say that a few shrunken sweaters and melted materials taught me that lesson quickly.

Group projects, on the other hand, have taught me more about communication and patience than any textbook could. You learn how to navigate different personalities, meet deadlines together and sometimes even pick up the slack when things don’t go as planned. It’s frustrating in the moment, but it’s also great practice for real world teamwork.

Coffee and energy drinks are sometimes less of a luxury and more of a survival tool. There are days when caffeine feels like the only thing keeping me upright, and that’s okay. And walking across campus to get to class? That definitely counts as cardio. When you’re speed walking from one building to another with a backpack that feels like it’s filled with bricks, you’ve earned those steps. These small, silly lessons might not seem as meaningful, but they make college life more memorable. They’re the stories you’ll laugh about later and the moments that remind you not to take everything too seriously.

Class Dismissed (for Now)

Looking back, these lessons have shaped me into a stronger, more self aware version of myself. College hasn’t just taught me academic knowledge, it’s taught me how to live, how to adapt and how to keep growing.

Independence showed me that being alone isn’t something to fear, it’s something to appreciate. Taking care of myself reminded me that rest is productive. Friendships taught me the importance of effort and vulnerability. Failure reminded me to view mistakes as stepping stones. Change showed me that the things that scare me most often help me grow the most. And of course, the silly lessons like learning what not to put in the dryer, have added humor and humility to the experience.

If I could give advice to anyone about to start college, it would be this, find the hidden curriculum of college. The real education isn’t always found in your textbooks or lectures, it’s in the experiences, relationships and challenges that shape who you become.

College is a classroom unlike any other, and the lessons it teaches go far beyond the syllabus.

Life Lessons: Brought to You By College

The real education happens between classes