I just graduated (which still feels unreal), and now that I’m officially on the other side, I wanted to share more things I wish I knew in college—because trust me, it can get tougher as you go. In this part 2, I talk about why your first year is such a golden window: the stakes are usually lower, you’re taking more gen eds, and it’s the best time to explore subjects, build a strong academic foundation, and secure grades that give you breathing room later when the workload gets… honestly, kind of hellish. I also share the three memory/retention habits that helped me the most: reading before lecture (just for the main idea and unfamiliar terms), taking notes during class, and reviewing those notes at the end of the day. For note-taking, I show how I use Scrintal to connect concepts when professors jump around—so I can actually see the bigger picture, link related topics, and reuse notes across boards. Beyond academics, I get real about keeping an open mind with career paths, seizing internships/workshops early, building your network (send the email), and managing your time because professors will not manage it for you. And yes: your health, your living situation, and your rest matter—because rest is productive too.