4 Lessons I Learned at Gonzaga University
As I begin my final semester at Gonzaga University, I have started to really reflect on my college experience. According to my professor Heather Crandall, we are in a state of Janus, a mythological name for looking at both the past and future. As excited as I am for the future and where my post graduate life will take me, I’m also thinking back through the last 4 years and what my college experience was like back in the day!
Lifelong Best Friends Come with Time
From left: Allison, me, Julianna, and Dani
From left: Chloe, me and Amanda
Ignore the poor quality of old Instagram pics, but don’t feel rushed to make friends with everyone and don’t feel bad if every friendship doesn’t work out. With that being said, try to go out and meet people early on in college. I wish I talked to more people within the first few weeks of school so I felt more comfortable putting myself out there; but regardless I quickly found my girls at Gonzaga!! The top group and I still run into each other on campus and while we don’t all live together like we have the last two years, we still are a close bunch. We have gone to so many dinners and birthdays together, I just love these ladies!!
As to the bottom two ladies, those have become my best friends in college ❤️ Chloe I actually met during GEL weekend which is a weekend in Spring where high school seniors come to campus and see what life is like at GU. At the time, each of us were thinking of becoming business majors (that one didn’t pan out) but we did just connect and talk throughout the tours. Fast forward to the start of freshman year, I met Amanda through my dorm and we instantly clicked! Funnily enough, she became friends with Chloe and the three of us reconnected and have been inseparable ever since!!
If you are heading into college or still a freshman, don’t feel bad if you haven’t found your people right away. It took me a long time to really develop these friendships and while we have had our drama, we have really established our relationships and know we are always going to be here for one another!
Go to the Sporting Events (Get Involved!)
From left: Me, Allison, Julianna, Dani, Emily and Sarah
One of the best things I ever did for myself was getting involved at school!! Something I have done throughout my college experience is volunteer with kiddos in the Spokane area through Campus Kids and CCE. I also went to a bunch of basketball games while I was here!! I cannot describe how incredible the Kennel is, if you ever get a chance to go you must!! It also doesn’t hurt to see the #1 team in the country every week 🤷🏻♀️
Another upside to getting involved? All of the amazing memories associated with these experiences! From the insane wins to incredible losses of basketball; or the new friends you meet from activities on campus! I have met some of my best friends through volunteering and we still talk to this day. I think for underclassmen especially, it’s important to find your niche at school. College can be overwhelming and when you start to fill your time with things you are passionate about, the time just flies by!
Travel Travel Travel
Lucca city center
If you can afford it, travel as much as you can in college!! Over the last 4 years, I have visited…
Idaho, Arizona, Canada, California, Oregon, Nevada, Hawaii, and Montana. This doesn’t even include my study abroad spots!! I think the best thing a young adult can do for themselves is travel and open themselves up to the world around them. I love visiting new places and trying different cuisines and meeting some of the coolest people. I also love the pictures I take and the incredible memories I come home with. Even if the travel is to another part of your state, I think it’s important to push yourself out of what is familiar to you.
I know having studied abroad, I can actually be flexible and rely heavily on myself! I also learned to be patient and adventurous. I just love experiencing new things and I learned to follow my passions and trust in myself. Now, I can’t wait to see where I end up in 2020 and in my post-grad life 😍
Follow Your Passions
Me now!!
As college winds down, I have also learned to follow my passions and for me, that means do something with fashion. I have always loved dressing up and expressing myself with my outfits. I know that I am most creative when I am picking out outfits and allowing myself to look my best. These days, it’s trying not to wear sweatshirts every single day in the cold 🤣 I also wanted to use my style and outfits as a way to help inspire others. I am constantly asked by my friends to help them pick out outfits which led to my blog!! I love that I get to share my outfits with the world every single day. I feel like I’ve really found my “thing”! Going forward, I can’t wait to continue growing and sharing my outfits with all of you!!
XOXO,
Lauren