Dear Freshman,
Or should I say, sophomore? First off, I would like to congratulate you on a successful semester (and yes, I use the term "successful" correctly). You may have not received the grade you wanted from that teacher you absolutely despised, or you may have not played as well in the sport that you love, but you accomplished a great feat: you finished your first year of college!
Yeah, I know, you may just roll your eyes, but that’s a major accomplishment. Most students drop out within the first semester of their college experience. But you prevailed. All of the late night study sessions where you had papers scattered around you, eyes bloodshot and dazed from staring at your textbook and laptop for hours hoping that some knowledge will magically slip into your brain. All of the 8 a.m. classes that you had to literally crawl out of bed to go to because you’d be in financial jeopardy if you skipped it once more. All of the early morning workouts for your sport’s team that left you feeling sweaty and gross, yet powerful and energized. And not to mention the struggles of being social. Making friends can be a scary experience, but you overcame that fear. You are in an unknown place full of unknown people. Life is scary and overwhelming. Classes will be long and challenging and make you lose your mind, especially during the dreaded finals week. But you made it out alive! And it is in this first year that you are able to actually explore and find things that interest you. There are so many options out there for you, and you can try your hand in all of them if you desire. And if you are still unsure of your major and what career path you may take, do not fret.
Most juniors don’t even know what they want to do with their life. Be sure to pursue every opportunity that arrives at your step. If you find something that catches your eye, go for it! Let nothing hold you back. Live fearlessly! The great thing about college is that it allows you to freely express yourself. No more clothing restriction (oh, the dreaded fingertip rule!). No more covering of piercings. You can truly be yourself (unless you’re a nudist, then I apologize). And there are people that you will meet that share similar interests with you. And if you have yet to join a club, DO IT! I promise you it will benefit you in the long run. Being around people with the same passion and drive as you is so refreshing.
Now I won’t sit here and tell you that it will get easier, my friend, because that would be a stone cold lie. It will be tough. It will be difficult. The courses may become more challenging, and the workouts may become more rigorous. Friends may stab you in the back, and the love of your life may in fact break your heart into pieces. Money may get tighter, and cafe food will unfortunately remain gross. But this should not faze you. For you are a force to be reckoned with. You are a hurricane of a person, and you should be extremely proud of that. When you walk out into the cold, messed up world, walk tall and walk proudly. For you are mighty, and you will not let the trivial things of this life get you down. Hell, if you can go through a year on your own in a foreign land with foreign people and come out victorious, then I promise you that you can make it the next 3 (or more if that’s your plan). Keep your head up. Love yourself. Love others. And never forget to spread your shine to those around you. You have worth. You have potential. And you will move mountains.
Love,
A Fellow College Sophomore
