With the fall semester in full swing again, you can't help but think about how fast time flies. As a third year student, it seems like just yesterday we were nervous freshmen planning out our schedules and mapping out our class locations. Scared, excited and alone, we had no idea what to expect, the people we were going to meet or the paths we were about to take; all we knew was that the next four years were supposed to be the best of our lives. Now, we look back on the last couple of years and see how far we have come as individuals. Some may have regrets, some may regret nothing; so I asked 22 juniors and seniors this: If you could go back in time and give advice to your naive, freshman self, what would it be?
1. Don't be a slut.
2. Actually, it's OK to be a little wild sometimes.
3. Never say no when someone invites you to do something.
4. Spend more time focusing on your personal life and maintain relationships rather than involvement in your fraternity.
5. Remember people's names by writing them down on your phone.
6. Do not forget that you are here for school.
7. Take more pictures.
8. Do not get caught doing *anything* in the dorms.
9. Join a club and try some new things.
10. Do not be scared to actually go out and make friends.
11. Always use condoms.
12. Be a yes man, and be down for anything.
13. Do not sign up for Friday classes, or any class before 10 a.m.
14. Actually go to class and make time to sleep.
16. Do not spend your entire meal plan at Starbucks.
17. Go to everything... including the library.
18. Do not spend all of your money on food, because the freshman 15 is a real thing.
19. The homesickness will pass.
20. Get out of your comfort zone and hang out with people outside of your friend group.
21. Also, try not to eat so much.
22. And finally, go out on Wednesday's.
There you have it. Twenty-two pieces of advice people would give their freshman selves. College in itself is a learning experience for everyone; and although we may look back and wish we could have done a thing or two differently, those things are mistakes that were meant to be made and have shaped our college life. But it is not over yet, so let's learn from those, change some things and maybe even make a few more. Freshmen - take notes.
