Wow! What a semester it was. I know I can’t be the only one who thought this semester was the longest one yet? It was filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I am relieved that it’s over and I’m looking forward to summer. But just like everything else there are a few takeaways that I wanted to note and share with you all. Check them out below!
1. Ask for help
Asking for help was one of the best things I did during the semester. I asked for help from professors, my boss, my parents, friends and mentors. I quickly found out in the overwhelming moments I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed these people to help me and seek council from them during the hards days. I learned to lean on them to find the good. It’s okay to seek help from others. You can’t do it all on your own. Find someone who will invest in you and have your best interest when you need it the most.
2. You can’t please everyone
Man oh man, could I write a novel on this! This has been one of the hardest things for me to learn. I am such a people pleaser and want every to be happy. I quickly learned that you can’t conform to other’s ideas and viewpoints all the time. Granted, it’s valuable to take them into consideration, but you shouldn’t dwell in them and make your life centered around what everyone thinks.
There is a a respectful way to handle others and not to prioritize their opinions. It is natural for someone not to agree with you or see eye to eye and that’s totally okay. That’s what makes us all unique!
I can confidently say that I leaned first hand I can’t please everyone, I know this lesson will continue in my future endeavors and I am fully aware that it will benefit my leadership characteristics going forward from learning this lesson.
3. Love your people hard
When I say love your people, I mean it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past year is that time is short and we are to love the person in front of us with open arms.
These are my people and I’m forever grateful for them and the abundant support they offered me this semester. The picked me up when I was down, believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and ultimately loved me unconditionally.
I love these people hard. I hope that you have your people. Those ones you can call on a random day, the one where you can pick up right where you left off, the one you talk to everyday or the one that you you’ve known your whole life. Let them know you love them. Send em’ a text, snap or phone call. They will appreciate it and so will you.
These are the top 3 things I learned this Spring Semester. Who knows the list change or stay the same come fall. All I know is that I am forever changed from these experiences and for that I’m grateful. I hope you can reflect on your semester or the first half of the year and find your own personal lessons to reflect on!
Allison Ornelas 