Dear freshmen,

I am pleased to inform you that you, lucky you, are currently residing in my old dormitory room. My first home at college is now your first home at college, and I’m so excited for you to experience all the things I did in that small, sad excuse for a room. Memorable things like nonstop throwing up after Halloween weekend, accidentally drinking spoiled milk, and having mental breakdowns about that 10 page long paper you forgot about until the night before it was due. Here are some things to keep in mind while you’re living in my old freshman dorm room.

1. Cherish your time with your roommate

You might not have a roommate if you end up moving off campus, and you’ll definitely miss spending every waking moment with them (no lie). You wake up next to them and go to sleep next to them, and once they’re gone you’ll realize how much you miss their company. Use your time in that prison cell of a dorm room to form a special bond with your freshman year roommate and make a friend for life.

2. Love your bed

Freshman year, your bed is your best friend. You’re not used to the rigorous schedule that is everyday college life, and you’ll probably spend most of your time in your bed. I napped every single day my first year of college -- my bed was my savior. Love that twin XL for what it is and thank it for all that it’s done for you on a Sunday morning after a destructive Saturday night.

3. Don’t hate on your RA

You might be pissed if you have an RA that’s all up your business, but they’re just doing their job. They want you to have the best possible experience you can have your freshman year, even if they’re being a bit pushy. I got blessed with a chill RA who didn’t really care what I did, so maybe you’ll get lucky like me.

4. Appreciate living in close proximity to your classes

Living off campus has its ups and downs. You can do whatever you want and have unlimited amounts of freedom, but you also have to make sure you get to campus on time on a Friday morning after a Thursday night out. It can be rough trying to get up, get your car started, and make it to class, especially in the winter. Be grateful that you’re just a few minutes walk to your classes everyday and that you have time to go back and take a quick 20 minute nap before your next one.

5. Live for the dorm pregame

Unlike when you’re an upperclassmen and live off campus, all of your friends are just a few minutes walk away freshman year. They might even live in the same building as you. Dorm pregames may seem really lame, but it’s a great way to become friends with people who are the same age as you and who you can hang out with on a daily basis. Getting to know your fellow freshmen is worth it in so many ways.

So, young and naive freshmen, learn to love your dorm room. You’ll make so many memories within those four way too close walls that you will remember for the rest of your time at college and for the rest of your life.

With lots of love and wishes of a memorable freshman year,