To the Incoming College Freshmen:
You're about to embark into a world full of responsibility and independence. This year you're going to try and discover who you are without your parents constantly looking over your shoulder, but don't forget to give them a call every now and then because they will worry about you.
You no longer have teachers breathing down your necks about assignments and due dates. usually, your teacher will give you one syllabus in the beginning of the semester with all of the dates on it, do not lose those syllabi! They are your lifelines for the semester. Keep a detailed planner and put in all of the due dates right away as well as the exam dates.
This year you will make some wonderful friends, some of which will stay by your side for the next four years and the rest of your life, and some of which you won't even talk to in the Spring Semester. Don't worry if you don't stay friends with everyone, you're not meant to. You have different classes and you'll meet new people. Everyone is seriously just trying to find themselves.
It's okay to experiment with some new things this year, but don't be afraid to just stay in and have a movie night with your roommate or your best friend. While the parties look fun, they're not everything.
Do what makes you comfortable, but take a few steps out of your comfort zone it'll help you learn who you are.
Also, go to the activities fair! Don't be afraid to join a group because one of the people on your floor thinks it's weird. Join the clubs where you think you will be happy. Join a bunch of clubs and then feel them out, you'll find where you belong.
To the Incoming College Sophomores:
You're no longer freshmen. You know the campus pretty well, especially if you go to a small school. You've figured out where you fit in and it's time to decide what you want to focus on in your major.
Don't let your grades slip! Stay focused on your studies. You can still have fun, but don't blow off studying for a test just to go to a frat party, there will be another one next weekend.
Stay involved with the clubs you joined as a freshman. It might seem early, but it's time to start looking into internships if you haven't already.
Don't forget to use your friends as your support system, they will be there to help you study and help you forget about the boy or girl who doesn't text back.
If you see a freshman looking lost, help them! Because last year, you were them. Stay motivated and have fun, because you're halfway done your time at college.
To the Incoming College Junior:
Time sure has flown by hasn't it? You're now an upperclassman. It's time to seriously start thinking about internships and getting valuable experience.
Don't forget to use your professors' office hours, they're just as important now as they were when you were a freshman. You're going to need recommendations for jobs and grad school and these are the people that know you best.
Don't be afraid to miss a night out in order to focus on an exam. There will always be another night. Honestly, nights in with your close friends are better than the bars and the frat parties anyway.
Remember to stay involved because those friends that are a year older that you've grown so close to won't be a door away next year.
Don't cut class because you learn more than what's in the textbooks and the teachers are much more likely to remember you. (Professors are people too and if they know you they are super understanding if you're going through a tough time.)
Stay motivated! School, work, and extracurriculars can become super tiring, but it'll all be worth it.
Remember to keep making memories!
To the Incoming College Senior:
I know, I'm right there with you. Our time at our home away from home is coming to a close. All of our friends that we've grown so close to will be entering the real world with us and our time together will become short visits and phone calls.
Stay motivated on class work, but make the most of this last year with your friends. Become really involved in the clubs you've stuck with all four years because when you return next year for special occasions you don't want anyone asking "Who's that?"
Get out your resume to everyone you know who is hiring. Ask your professors who you've had multiple times for help and recommendations. Take advantage of your school's career services department and ask them to review your resume.
Don't let the grades slip this year, though, because this year may be one of the most important.
When we're walking across the stage on graduation day we want our time at our schools to make it hard to say goodbye.
Grab lunch with your freshman year roommates and check on them, they were there for you when you didn't know what you were doing. Take a moment to just walk the campus and take in what you will be leaving behind. Remember all the good times and the bad and acknowledge that this place with these people is what made you who you are.
Sincerely,
An Incoming College Senior who doesn't want to say goodbye.
