What College Taught Me...

I used to think that my college education was defined by the amount of knowledge I attained while sitting in a chair in a classroom listening lecture number 91,279,047,553,851...but there is so much more to it than that. Now that I am a graduate of Ohio Northern University I can look back and say that the most important things I gained from my experience were not the lessons I learned in the classroom. The most important things I learned were those that changed my approach to life outside of the classroom.

What I know now that I didn't know then...


#1 ~ People are worth it...

Every late night (or all-nighter) I had to spend working,

Every test I didn't study for until the hour before,

Every paper I had to beg for an extension to complete,

Every presentation I finished writing as I was walking to (or sitting in) class,

Every meeting I missed,

Every practice I left early (or woke up at 5am to get in),

Every class I skipped (because I had to sleep at some point),

Every chapter of every text book that I never read,



was absolutely undoubtedly worth...



Every movie I watched for the 3848750038 time,

Every story I told over and over again, laughing harder every time,

Every pancake I ate at 10pm,

Every cup of coffee I had at Northern on Main,

Every dinner I ate out that I couldn't afford,

Every pizza ordered at midnight,

Every spontaneous but necessary drive home,

Every smile shared,

Every tear shed,

Every joy lived and re-lived,

Every fear embraced and conquered,

Every one of the people in my life.

The time that I spent with the people that I care about is time that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I can always make more money but there are only 24 hours in a day. This was time well spent.

#2 ~ Define success...

I will admit that when I started college I expected to finish knowing what I was going to do with the rest of my life (or at least the next stage of my life). If I would have maintained that expectation I would be writing this as an absolute failure. Instead I decided that if I could finish with any idea of what God wanted me to do and where he wanted me to be, I would be satisfied. Today I don't know what exactly God is calling me to but that's okay. Its quite the accomplishment to honestly say that I'm trying to follow the path that God has set before me. The ability to distinguish between what God is doing in me, with me, for me, and through me, and what God wants me to do for him is a difficult dialectic. I can say that I have made this distinction. Success!



#3 ~ It really is who you know...

If I didn't know my high school English teacher I would not have been in Ohio after I graduated high school nor would I be a member of Stillwater UMC. If I didn't attend Stillwater I would not know the family that I live with now nor have an interest in multi-site ministry or the United Methodist Church. Knowing this family allowed me to finish my Associate's Degree at Sinclair Community College. If I didn't know a member of the Board of Trustees for Ohio Northern I would not have transferred to ONU after completing my AA at Sinclair. If I would not have known this Board Member I would not have known the people I had to ask for money to pay my tuition and would not have graduated with my Bachelor's Degree. If I wouldn't have known my Uncle in Nashville, TN who owns The Diekhoff Company, I would not be moving to Nashville and working for his company as a church liaison. What's more important than knowing all of these people? Being willing to let God use these people in my life.


#4 ~ Humility is strength...

This lesson builds on #3. Knowing the right people and meeting new people are important, but if you can't humble yourself enough to ask them for help, to let God use them, the benefit is lost. Networking is a great tool but so is a hammer. Tools are only valuable if you use them. If you need help, ask for it. If you don't know, say so. If you're wrong, admit it. You will be stronger for it.


#5 ~ Balance is everything...

There will always be things on your "to do" list. There will always be relationships that require your time. There will always be hobbies and interests that you want to stay involved in. There will always be a God who deserves everything that you can give (and a whole lot more). There will always be...

All of these things matter. Life is one heck of a juggling act. So set your priorities accordingly (making room for yourself and that which energizes you). Keep your balance!



#6 ~ Hallmark is still around...
...and for good reason.

Every month my grandmother sent me an allowance check in a greeting card. You would think that as a poor college student the check would be the most exciting part of receiving that card. It turns out that the most important part was knowing that when I was overwhelmed, overextended, overworked, and beyond stressed, someone was thinking and praying about me because they love me. No amount on that check could make up for the note that I received on that card every month. For anyone who is surprised that Hallmark is still making greeting cards...mark my words. There is a reason.