College is a huge transition, and I know that last year I had so many questions and no one to really give me advice on it. I was worried about making friends, what classes to take, and how to live on campus. I needed someone who knew all the answers, while I don’t know that, I do know some of the answers I was seeking.

Friends was a huge worry of mine. What if I don’t make any friends? The best advice that helped me through my freshman year, is start off being friendly. There are people that you will not get along with, and that is ok. Being friendly and open to anyone was the best thing I did. I went around my dorm “pod” and introduced myself and said hi to anyone. That is how I left my freshman year with so many people that I can call friends for a lifetime.

I worried about how to study in college, I had never really studied everything I was taught, I only crammed for an exam or two. In college, it is so different. You may start out thinking you can skip class and just “wing-it” but you can’t. You have to work for the grades you want. Seriously, the biggest thing I wish someone told me was to suck it up and do well. A good GPA opens so many doors for you. Take classes you like, and make sure that you put 110% every day.

Living away from your parents is very different. I spent most of my weekends at home, since I lived very close. I do have to say, that it is a great experience. I honestly suggested it to anyone, even if you went home every weekend. I loved living in my dorm, campus is like a bubble. It’s separate from everything else in town. I also got a bike, and that saved my life. Walking to class would take so much longer than biking. Being on campus and having a bike, just makes everything faster.

This is just a few things I picked up in my past year, this is nowhere near all the answers you are looking for. The last thing I just want to tell you is that it will work out. You will have a great year, put everything into it and you will get everything out of it.

Best of luck, college class of 2021!