Lessons Learned.

The following is a list of twenty random realizations I've made over the course of this crazy year. They are listed in no particular order of importance.

1. Relationships come and go. When they go, let them go.


2. The best finds in Gainesville are not right across the street from campus.


3. Relationships that start with a mouse click usually end....almost as quickly.


4. Ideals are just that: Ideal. If something less than ideal comes along, don't close your mind.


5. Kissing a friend almost always changes something, even if both parties convince themselves otherwise.


6. Talkng with someone half a country away may not always end in romance, but it almost always ends in sheer respect, appreciation, and admiration of that person...all things which aren't so bad indeed.


7. When you're gay, your friends will hook up, sometimes leaving you in the middle. When this happens, let them have their space, it will almost always work itself out. There is no need to get caught up in the drama.


8. Don't sit alone just because the people you want to hang out with aren't available. Call someone that you know a little bit less: it will be uncomfortable at first but maybe something long term may come of it. (I know I didn't do this enough this year at all..definite missed opportunites)


9. Cherish every experience you share with a new group of friends. It might be the last time that particular conglomeration of people has the chance to form.


10. When you're gay, age means nothing; rather, experience and openness means it all.


11. Even your best, closest, "I know everything about you" friends can surprise you. Don't let that upset you.


12. Even though I openly hate Gainesville, i admit that it really has a lot to offer. Beneath this ubiquitous college environment are a lot of interesting experiences and scenes...most of which I have yet to explore.


13. When you're in the closet, you feel completely and utterly alone. When you come out, it is so incredibly overwhelming how many gay men there are in the world. If you're like me (don't ask how, I don't get it either), you get discouraged. Don't be.


14. Just because other people can skip every class, buy the Einstein Notes, and get 95's on the test doesn't mean that you can, even if the other people look like they have soup for brains.


15. Looking at and lusting over guys, although obsessive and unhealthy, is about 500% better than giving in and hooking up with random people.


16. The dorm experience is not what it's cracked up to be. All future college atendees: weigh your options, and don't be blindsided by the school. Dorming is not the only option.


17. Crushing on someone over the internet (without ever having talked to them) is very dangerous. All you are working with is a few pictures and some non-descript "about me" text. Don't let yourself imagine a person that probably doesn't exist.


18. In college, everyone is at least somewhat cute. Perhaps it is the beauty of youth, or maybe the fact that since everyone is in the same age bracket there is a more apparent cute/not-so-cute ratio. Don't think that their attractiveness renders you unattractive.


19. Cleaning out your buddy list / Facebook friend list can be a very VERY therapeutic process.


20. At some level, every college student is confused...even the most seemingly comfortable ones are just as unsure of what the future has in store for them as you are.