At 5 years old, you walked into your kindergarten classroom holding onto your mother’s hand without any fear or inhibition. Oh, how the times have changed… you’re a legal adult now heading into your first day of college and you’re more nervous than you’ve ever been for the annual first day of school. I remember walking onto campus as a freshman and being overwhelmed by the new stage of life what I was entering. So without further ado, here are five words of advice I wish I would have known as a college freshman.

1. Don’t worry -- you’re going to be okay.

The idea of living away from your parents in a completely new place is a scary prospect. It’s never easy to pack up everything you own into your mom’s minivan knowing that one of the hardest goodbyes of your life is coming soon. Even though you’re telling everyone you’re “so excited” to leave home and start college, it is entirely normal to feel nervous and even scared. Take a breath, you’re going to college. That’s the first step and you’ve already accomplished it!Poi

2. College will be different.

Please don’t go into college thinking that it’s going to be just like high school because college is a whole new ball game. Maybe you were the homecoming queen or the three-sport varsity athlete in high school, but none of that matters anymore because college is about focusing on the future rather than the past.

3. You’re going to learn a lot about yourself.

The first semester of college is one of the hardest transition periods that you will ever go through. You’re going to be living with a new person, in a new dorm, in an entirely new environment and that’s a lot of change to adapt to. The best thing about all of this change is that through the ups and downs, you start to discover things about yourself that you’ve never known before.

4. You’re going to make some mistakes.

Whether it’s pissing off your roommate, forgetting to study for that 8 a.m. exam, or eating your dining hall’s mystery meat. College is full of mistakes. Even though you might think that one mistake is going to hurt your reputation or ruin your chances of actually passing chemistry -- relax, because everyone makes mistakes. One mistake isn’t going to define you.

5. Say yes!

Your freshman year floods you with opportunities. Whether it’s joining a club, playing intramural sports, or studying abroad -- don’t let your fear of the unknown prevent you from embracing new adventures. Your college career represents four of the best years of your life, so don’t be afraid to fill your schedule with the things that you love.

Overall, freshman year was one of the best years of my entire life. Even though it was a huge adjustment, I powered through and finished strong. College is a topsy-turvy ride. When August rolls around and you set foot on your college campus for the first time, be ready your greatest adventure yet. Best wishes on an incredible next four years.