To all my seniors in high school right now, this article is for you. Coming into my freshman year, I experienced anticipation, excitement and nervousness, things I'm sure you are all going through right now. This list is intended to be advice for you as you enter Orientations, Preview Days and even the first semester of freshman year. I, along with my fellow freshmen, wish that I would have gotten this list, so I decided to help you all out.
1. Be yourself.
It is easy to come into anything and want to change yourself and be a new person when you leave everyone you've ever known and dive into a new environment. My advice is that you don't want to act a certain way to fit in, because then you will end up with the wrong people surrounding you. The only way to make those true friendships is to be yourself.
2. Going Greek is wonderful, but only do it if you are willing to commit.
Yes, every incoming freshman girl dreams of getting into that perfect sorority and having the best social life with new best friends, but Greek life is a time commitment and a job. Make sure you realize this and think about it before you join. I highly recommend joining, though, because I have made best friends and so many memories already.
3. Do NOT sign up for 8 a.m.'s. Just don't do it.
Yes, in high school you had to be at school before 8 am so you think it will be no big deal. In high school you also didn't study all hours of the night or have sorority and school events to attend 24/7. It is a big deal and a big struggle. Just take my advice and avoid them as much as possible.
4. Freshman 15 is not a thing.
In fact, you will even lose weight from all the walking, stress, and sometimes you even forget to eat. Also when flex dollars run out it's a big struggle to find food. So don't stress about the weight you're about to gain, I promise it's not a thing.
5. Don't ditch your family.
I know you will get caught up in the hustle and bustle of college life, especially in the first month, but give your mom a quick text or call and let her know you're doing good. Even if it is just once or twice a week, it will mean a lot to you and to her.
6. The people you meet the first week will not be your best friends.
I remember stressing about everyone I met the first week because we did not hang out all the time and we weren't getting close. It's okay. I still talk to them, but honestly it took me a good two months before I found my circle.
7. Just because you enter college in a relationship doesn't mean you'll have a terrible time or that you will break up.
I stressed about going to a different college than my boyfriend, but I don't miss out on anything and it honestly has made us closer. I'm not going to lie, there will be some struggles, but it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If it's meant to be, it'll work out.
8. You will most likely bomb your first exams and it will be okay.
It will take some time to get used to how college professors make their tests, and it will take some time to teach yourself how to study. Let's face it, high school was a joke. Now is the time to realize tests are important, and it will take you until midterms to get it right, but your grade will still be okay. Don't stress.
9. Go to class.
They will repeat this to you over and over at every freshman event they host, but it really is true. A portion of your grade at the end of the semester will be taken from attendance, and that will matter at that point. If you miss one or two classes in college, then you automatically lose your A. Go and pay attention, every test includes things you hear in the lectures.
10. Lastly, have fun.
Don't stress about who you're going to be in the future. Don't stress over that petty drama your old friends try to start. Don't stress over that bad grade. It'll be okay. Have fun, because your freshman year really is the easiest and best year of college, and it will be over before you know it. Go out on Thursdays. Go get Insomnia Cookies at 2 a.m. It's all worth it.
