Western Wisdom
Advice from WWU juniors, seniors and alumni
Illustrations by Roshni Capewell
Story by Siena Mariani
For many of us, college can be a very formative time in our lives, as we gain new experiences, meet new people, and learn lifelong lessons. I asked Western soon-to-be graduates, as well as several alumni, to submit one piece of advice or wisdom they gained during their college experience that they can pass along to current and future students. Wisdom from others can have great power to influence our choices, so I hope you will take something useful from this collection of advice. Here are some of the best submissions, hand-picked for your reading pleasure.
Attend class, even if it's not mandatory. - Nate, senior
Don’t ever, under any circumstances, come into college in a long-distance relationship. - Sophie, junior
During the winter time, get a sun lamp and some vitamin D. Try to stay active as much as you can, and do things you love. - Talayjha, junior
Do not flirt with a comp sci major. - Alyssa, senior
Do not spend all of college wishing for a relationship. Have fun, kiss people, and go through experiences. It doesn’t need to be so serious. - Livi, junior
Let go of the aloof, nonchalant mentality if you crave meaningful connection. Foster humility, and be vulnerable… there is strength in softness. - Kyra, senior
Parking patrol sucks. - Halle, junior
You’ll get through it! - Arynn, junior
Find people within your classes/clubs/neighborhood to work through the hardships of life and difficult classes with! Social support is huge. - Luna, senior
Your adviser should be your best friend. Stay in touch and school will be a breeze. - Liam, senior
Take the opportunity in front of you. When something presents itself, take advantage of it, as you may enjoy it or learn from it. - Levi, senior
Assume that maybe you are not right, and truly try to hear other perspectives, both in school and outside of it. Also! A sincere apology goes a long way. - Vanja, senior
Figure out what your priorities are and what matters most to you and live out of that! - Claire, senior
Buy your textbooks secondhand or online!! - Dana, alum
Utilize campus resources (library, gym, tutoring center, writing center, etc.). You’re paying for them!! - Elisabeth, senior
Your social life will be nonexistent once you start doing your major classes. - Bretta, senior
Everybody’s perspectives are a reflection of themselves and what they’ve gone through, so keep that in mind when navigating relationships. - Sabrina, senior
Talk to people you normally wouldn’t talk to. Get uncomfortable. The best way to excel is to network. - Emilio, alum
Step out of your comfort zone. College is your time to reinvent yourself, and where you’ll find lifelong friendships. - Kenzi, senior
Give yourself an hour before class to park, walk, and mentally prepare. It pays off. - Jessica, senior
Be sure to branch out and try classes even if they don’t count toward majors or GURs. College doesn’t have to be so linear, and you’ll miss it when you’re graduated. Sometimes. - Zach, alum
Don’t be afraid to ask your professors for help, and don’t be afraid to ask the stupid questions. Nine out of ten times, other people have those questions too. - Logan, alum
Enjoy the little things. Once you’re done, it’ll all feel like a blink. - Anonymous, alum
Don’t spend time and energy on a situationship that’s hot and cold while you’re waiting for them to change. Spend that time with your besties and yourself and open yourself up to new people <3 - Lina, alum
Give yourself grace. Early on in college, I had so many expectations that made my experience seem mundane. It wasn’t until I learned to try new things and be grateful for ALL of my experiences, positive or negative, that I started to enjoy college so much. - Sierra, senior
Prioritize things that you think are going to be beneficial to your future. - Jack, alum
Take care of yourself, and don’t feel like you need to do everything everyone does. And find joy in missing out rather than having fear of it. -Naomi, senior