1.) It's impossible to describe the emotions during your first few weeks at college. It's awkward, it's uncomfortable, but it's also thrilling. You literally get the chance to re-create yourself. Childhood friends, high school drama, and cliques aside, you are completely independent, and you have the chance to become the person you've been too scared to be. You can wear that outfit your high school dress code made you think was inappropriate, dye your hair all the bright colors your mother told you not to, and even go on your phone in class. Nobody will think twice about it!

2.) The nice thing about the beginning of freshman year is that you're probably going to be surrounded by other freshman who are just as nervous as you. This being said, take advantage of this "awkward phase" and turn this into an opportunity to make friends. In awkward and uncomfortable times, it's nice to have a friend. So I guarantee the majority of the freshman surrounding you could really use a friend, too. If you ask someone to sit with them while they're eating lunch alone in the cafeteria, I can promise you they will not say no.

3.) One thing I learned the hard way was that opportunities don't present themselves to you anymore. In college, you're starting as a nobody. If you're sitting in the back corner of class and don't look or talk to anyone, nobody's going to talk to you either. If you want a job but don't utilize your resources, good luck finding one. Your professor isn't going to learn your name unless you make yourself stand out. You can either keep your head down and go unnoticed, or you can seek opportunities and put yourself out there and make a name for yourself. You'll soon realize how important networking is, despite your career path.

4.) By now you're probably even more intimidated. But, I'm here to share that there are so many resources to help you in your journey as a college student. Every college nation wide has some sort of club, and I promise there is something out there for you. I bring this up because clubs are an amazing way of finding people with similar interests that you can connect with. Though I never personally participated, I know many people enjoy their experiences in sororities or fraternities. Despite the bad rep they get, I do believe that the right ones create life-long friendships and can also have a positive impact on the college and community. I suggest doing your research in regard to clubs, greek life, etc. and see what your college offers.

5.) Lastly, it's okay to feel scared and confused. Whether you've felt this way before or not, I promise every college student has dealt with it. It's okay to question yourself. It's okay to hesitate. It's okay to doubt. These are all completely normal, and valid feelings. Find it within yourself to make the decisions that are going to make you the happiest, best version of yourself. If you don't know what version of yourself that is, you have lots of time to figure that out.