So, you have finally graduated high school and are just so excited to start this new chapter in your life. Well you should be excited; get more than excited! College is one of the best experiences of your lifetime. Although it is a lot of fun, there is more to it than just partying, concerts, and alcohol.
My first piece of advice to you is to go to class. Let me repeat myself, GO TO CLASS. That freshman orientation class at eight in the morning may not seem important, but let me tell you,
when you have the opportunity to get an easy A just for attending a class, you should take it. Even the professors that say, "Attendance is not mandatory," still expect you to be in their class every day. I promise you, you will get much better grades if you attend your classes and your professor will be more lenient helping your grade at the end of the semester if he or she knows you have been there rather than skipping.
My second round of advice I have for you is this, do not let one mistake you make define who you are. Get a bad grade on a test? Do not dwell on it for weeks, know what you can do to better yourself and try again next time. Make a fool of yourself at a party? I think we have all done that. Just stand up tall, and hold yourself higher than the fool someone mistook you for. Show everyone the person you really are the next time you are out with your friends. Drink too much and get sick in front of everyone? That is OK, it happens to the best of us. Next time, know your limits and know that you are not Superman and maybe those 10 shots of Fireball aren't such a good idea.
My third piece of advice for you is do not forget where you came from. Sure, college is fun and it is a way for you to get away from home and start acting like an adult. But home is always going to be home. Don't forget to call Mom and Dad every now and then, they miss you more than you know. Go back and visit friends and family back home sometimes, it's a good stress reliever and you get to catch up and find out what has been going on.
My fourth and final little piece of advice I have to offer you is to get involved throughout campus. There are so many organizations and clubs that you can be a part of. Sorority and fraternity life are amazing, and they also look great on resumes. When you choose your major, there will more than likely be a club that goes along with it. I challenge you to join that club. You will learn more about your major, and meet new friends who share the same interest as you do along the way.
All in all, college is a blast and you should be very excited to get to experience it. But do not get all caught up in the parties, events, and schoolwork and forget who you are. You are great, and you are going to succeed. But you have to apply yourself and know what you are worth. Never settle for less than what you know you deserve and always put your best foot forward. It is going to be tough, and you may even break down on the library steps someday. But know that you can do it, and there is always someone around willing to help you.
