What No One Told Me About Reaching My Goals

When I write my resume, I am proud of the things I have accomplished. In fact, I have done almost all of the things I set out to achieve in college. What I have learned is that those moments often don’t feel quite like you think they will (I always feel like I should be getting taller when I achieve my goals, even though I have been the same height for almost seven years). There’s a reason they say opportunity looks like hard work. When I was sixteen, my dream was to become a National Merit Scholar, go out of state for college, join a sorority (and become a leader within that sorority), and work in a neuroscience research lab.

The National Merit thing and the subsequent scholarship that allows me to be at Alabama was pretty predictable. I actually did feel super excited about the possibility that all my hard work paid off– but most other people (besides my parents and gifted counselor) didn’t really care or get it. Underwhelming.

I was very interested in neuroscience in high school and was disappointed that Alabama didn’t have a formal program. I love that I continued to follow that passion and joined our small lab. I could not have dreamed that I would have a chance to present our work at a national conference. I also didn’t dream that our lab would be on the humid fourth floor of one of the University’s oldest buildings. The peaks are high, but in the day-to-day? Underwhelming.

Joining my sorority and being appointed to my various leadership positions are among the happiest moments of my life. I didn’t ever think part of that leadership would be dressing up like a frat dude for an audience of hundreds– just kidding; I loved that. Most of the time, I don’t feel like Megan Anderson, Executive Board Member. I feel like Megan Anderson, Wears a Gray Sweatsuit to Breakfast Every Day. Underwhelming.

In so many ways, I am the person I wanted myself to be in college. I dress better, I like my major, and I don’t feel weird about studying alone in a coffee shop– but I don’t think of myself differently, and I think many young people feel the same. If you climb a mountain and look down the entire time it will always look like rocks (I assume. I have never climbed a mountain). The challenge is to remember that the ascent doesn’t cheapen the summit.

I just got back from Colorado so I am full of mountain climbing metaphors. Be proud of your accomplishments and try not to let daily monotony discourage you. Your goals are worthy, even when they feel lame.

xo,

Megan

PS. I tried to rewrite this in a number of ways that didn’t sound like a humble brag, but none of them worked. Here it is, my humble brag.

PPS. I wish I looked as good as this stock photo when studying but I am usually wearing the aforementioned gray sweatsuit.

Actual College Shopping List (<400 Items)

I always see “back to college” lists that are like 400 items long, which is overwhelming and unhelpful to everyone. If you have to be told to bring a toothbrush to college, you shouldn’t be going. But there are some items I would really recommend bringing. Here’s my dos and don’ts:

Bring:

1. Twin size foam mattress topper. (Therapedic, 3inch) I have a sensitive back and way less than $300 to spend on a mattress topper. This is my pick.
2. Organizers. Firstly, your dorm/sorority house room/apartment will be small, so if you bring too much crap there is no device on the planet that can make it fit. To make use of every inch, I recommend an over-the-door shoe hanger, Huggable hangers, and a cube organizer system.
3. Keurig. I own the family size one which I love because I’m lazy and don’t like to refill the water tower. I didn’t use this in the sorority house because one was already supplied.
4. Medicine. This is probably the most important item on the list. I am always sick at school. I keep lots of cold, allergy, and stomach medicine on hand because there’s nothing worse than not having it when you need it. I also keep a lacrosse ball in my medicine basket for rolling out knots in my shoulders after a long night of studying.
5. Slippers. At home, my mom likes to keep the house at 76 degrees, so I am frequently cold at school. If you live in the sorority house, you will be annoyed that you have to put shoes on to go on the main level and get breakfast. These are my “shoes.”
6. Wall art. Curating my wall art brings me a lot of joy. Let this be your excuse to paint something or take advantage of 50% off wall art at Hobby Lobby.
7. Credit card phone case. I lost my student ID seven times before I bought this.
8.  Iphone speaker. No one ever has one of these and it is essential to a good time.
9. Corkscrew.
10. Printer. I know this is controversial but I am pro-printer– if you are ok with being the girl with the printer. I am, and sometimes people will bring me snacks or like a dollar to use my printer. It’s a good set up.
11. My Little Steamer. Stop looking a mess today!
12. Towel wrap with velcro. These are good for commuting to the shower and also sitting in bed post-shower for two hours, which I have only heard about second hand and have never done myself.

Don’t bring:

1. A lot of clothes you bought the summer before college. Your style will change and you will sell them for $11.96 at Plato’s Closet.
2. Ice cream. Responsible for at least 30% of my freshman 15.
3. Every item you own. Seriously, it won’t fit. Throw some stuff away.