It's that time of year again, that time when the seniors are all deciding where they'll be spending the next four years of their lives and embark on the college experience. Last year, one of our creators wrote a letter to the incoming freshmen, so I thought I'd write one this year with some tips, tricks and advice for the Class of 2021.
1. It's okay to cry
Everyone will probably cry at one point. Everyone. It's a crazy, hectic and sometimes scary point in your life on the day that you move in. It's okay to cry on move in day, during welcome week, heck even halfway through the semester when all you want to do is go home.
2. Call your mom
Everyday. Multiple times a day if you need to. This is the first time you'll be away from her, you're still going to need her advice and direction every now and again. Plus, she just might be the only person you have that really knows you at first.
3. Bring rain boots and a rain jacket
It rains a lot in Michigan, especially in October, March and April when nature isn't sure to what season it's supposed to be that day. And when it rains at Adrian College, it floods. Everything. You can't walk through the mall without getting your shoes soaking wet and possibly ruining the bottoms of your pants. Bring rain boots and a rain jacket, you'll need them. Umbrellas are overrated, especially with the wind we tend to get with the rain.
4. Buy multiple fans for your dorm
My roommate and I each bought a fan at the start of the year and by two in the morning on the first day, we were back at Wal-Mart buying two more. It's hot during Welcome Week, making it absolutely miserable in the dorms with no air (aka all four freshmen dorms) and it doesn't get better by September, trust me. It's hot in those dorms, especially with so many people living in closed quarters like that and especially when you can't open the windows because it's too hot outside.
5. Don't be afraid to branch out and try new things
Go to the CAN stuff at the mall. Go join the club with the major you're interested, play an intramural sport (broomball is a blast), play volleyball in the quad, play indoor soccer in the spring, just do things you wouldn't otherwise do and you'll meet new people and befriend people you wouldn't think you would otherwise.
6. Go to Meijer Madness
Seriously, it's awesome. Not only are there games and stuff you can play to win prizes, but each person gets a 20% off coupon and a 50% off any licensed NCAA apparel and products. Not only that, but there's also workers all around the store giving out samples of everything from food to body wash and toothpaste. It's amazing, drive yourself, find a friend, just get to Meijer Madness, you won't regret it.
7. Microwavable food is your new bff
Ritchie and Caine will get old in a month,I can promise you that. On days when you're not feeling fried chicken made into all different kind of things, microwavable mac-n-cheese and anything else you can put in there will be your new best friend.
8. Learn how to not spend money
Just because there's a Starbucks in the student center doesn't mean you should spend $5 a day on a coffee. You're pretty much on your own now, you can't just go home and ask your mom for $20 when you're low on cash. Learn when to save your money for special occassions, like going out to eat for your friends' birthdays or the end of the semester.
9. Invest in a good phone case. You'll need it.
Again, you're pretty much on your own now, if you drop your phone and it breaks you can't just have your mom go get it fixed. I've heard way too many stories of people I know who either just dropped it from their loft bed or don't remember exactly how the night was going prior to breaking their phone. Get a good case, it doesn't even have to cost a fortune and sometimes you can even find one that isn't boring.
10. You're not the only one having a rough time right now
Everyone in your dorm is more than likely feeling exactly like you, or something pretty close. You're not the only one who misses home or that misses your family. Everyone is transitioning to a new stage in their lives, remember that when you're dealing with other people who aren't being the greatest to you.
Your freshman year, you'll change and so will your life as you know it. And hopefully, a few of these tips may help you as you make that change.
We can't wait to have you all here at Adrian next year!
So until Welcome Week, #GDTBAB