When life gives you lemons, you make lemon tarts

Make the best of everything you have 

“Someday, you’ll learn to experience things that are greater than what you dream of.”

Now that I’m close to graduation, I’ve come to appreciate how small little things in life actually make a difference. As a third culture kid who spent most of her life living in Singapore, I made a huge decision to come to Rochester, N.Y. for college. It’s obviously a major change for someone who has lived comfortably in a cosmopolitan city, but this suburban town actually taught me many things.

1. Friends come and go, but they are in your life for a reason.
   As you get older, you will notice that it takes time to find people who can really click with you. But don’t ever be afraid because that alone time is a great opportunity to explore your independence. When you do find those amazing friends, keep them close at heart.
2. The Internet, Reddit and Google Maps are your life-savers.
   When I first moved to the United States by myself, I learned to navigate my way around Rochester using Google Maps and Internet search. In reflection of my past travel experience, I learned that people in Reddit are more helpful in giving useful information than hotel staff. You can also plan your trip in advance if you need to go somewhere.
3. Invest in Google Wallet and use Google Voice to make international calls.
   Thanks to the Internet, communication is now much more accessible. If you have friends or families that live across the world (in case Skype is not feasible), Google Voice is your best friend to cost-friendly phone calls. Their international rates are cheap, and $20 credit is normally sufficient to cover long hours of calls.
4. Your priorities in life will eventually change.
   As the years go by, there will come a time when you move to a new environment and meet new people. Similarly, your goals and hobbies will change. That includes becoming an active supporter for a new cause you believe in. Sometimes it also involves adjusting your lifestyle so that you can still live comfortably without breaking the bank.
5. Host-families are your friends for life.
   If you ever decide to travel (whether it’s for an exchange program, vacation, or relocating to another country for job / higher studies), the homestay progam is a great option to familiarizing yourself with the local lifestyle and meeting new people. Another plus will be the economical benefit of renting a private room vs an apartment.
6. Getting into conflicts and treated as an OUTCAST are inevitable if you ever share a house or apartment with housemates.
   When you live in a community house, your housemates might do things that annoy you. You have every right to be frustrated and point out their mistakes if they have crossed the line. Housemates issues can sometimes mean being isolated even though you live under the same roof with them. In most cases, it could be the language barrier and they make no effort to interact. If you find that a civil communication fails to bring any resolution, it’s time to move on because these people are not worth your time.
7. Saving money keeps you grounded and teaches you to be more realistic in the long term.
   We all know that saving is a step to financial independence. Every dollar saved for future investment keeps you prepared for rainy days. It’s easy to fall into temptations, but if you ever decide to buy something that’s costly, give yourself a month to consider its practical application in daily life and whether the price is worth it.
8. Don’t feel pressured over what your peers have accomplished.
   Don’t ever let people tell you what you should do with your life. When people start to criticize why it takes you so long to graduate from college or settling down with a family, etc., always remember that age is just a figure. You shouldn’t be judged by your social standing, but based on your moral compass. And you can’t expect everyone to understand the experiences you have gone through.
9. Make plans to travel at least once a year.
   Traveling to a new place is the most rewarding experience. It not only opens up your mind to the world and new cultures, but also teaches you to be problem solver. Whether it’s admiring the architecture in Chicago or getting your heart broken by the Khmer Rouge genocide camps in Cambodia, you will come to understand the struggles people go through everyday just to provide food for their families.
10. Attend as many events or talks as much as possible.
    Majority of the things learned beyond the classroom don’t just come from daily reading. Most often, new ideas and connections come from people who are passionnate in their field.

Alexis Ohanian at Rochester Institute of Technology on Feb.7, 2013 Photo Credit: @MargieSees

When Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, came to my school for a talk, he gave a great presentation of how the Internet changed our society and inspired many successful online startups.

Independence definitely encourages you to step up your game, but it’s also the time where you experience yourself the most.