Ah, this is it; this is the moment that you have been working towards for the past thirteen years. Your mom’s minivan is jam-packed with boxes, suitcases, and that brand new mini-fridge. Tomorrow you’ll wake up at the crack of dawn. You’ll hit the road and be on your way to the best four years of your life.

The first year is going to be so different from anything you have ever experienced. The moment you set foot on campus, you will be overwhelmed with school spirit. You will run up, down, and all around the grounds attending sessions and talks.

These first few days are orientation. You take the time to explore campus and find all of your classrooms. You make small talk with your roommate.You figure out your schedule, and you make trips to the cafeteria.

There’s so much happening in the first week that you don’t have time to feel homesick. It’s okay when you do! If you miss your old room, bed, pets, family: that’s all okay. It does not mean that you are weak and acting like a child, it means that you’re human. You’ll get through the feeling. Pretty soon the girl living just down the hall from you will be like your sister. The guy in your English class might be your best friend. Your professors will guide you in the right direction, but the decisions are still up to you. Going to college is a freeing experience, but don’t let the weight of responsibility or fear hold you back.

You’re going to make a lot of new friends. These people are your lifeline throughout the first semester. You eat lunch and dinner with them, you get involved in the same clubs, and you spend all your free time with them. That’s great! Don’t feel bad if you grow apart in the second semester. At this point, freshman feel more at home and comfortable. You feel brave enough to branch out into different circles. You make new friends. You don’t have to feel bad if you leave some people behind as you grow into the person you want to be. First semester friends don’t always last, and that’s okay.If you were lucky enough to find your best friend on the first night, hold on to them and never let go. Still, there’s no need to worry if you don’t find them until later on.

Classes are hard! Really, really hard. Deadlines are strict, and you occasionally only have one night to write a five page paper. You have to be strict with yourself. Buy a planner – a real paper planner, not an app for your phone – and use it to keep track of all your assignments. Mark out time for classes, studying, eating, and fun. During the week, make yourself go to bed.If you have an 8 a.m., don’t stay up until 2 a.m. talking. Let the weekend be your time for relaxing.

College is crazy, and everyone is going to tell you something different about what it’s going to be like. I’m going to tell you that it’s going to be nothing like you imagine, at least not at first. It’s scary, hard, and makes you want to hide in your bed all day, but it gets better. Soon you’ll have a group of friends, enjoy your classes, and be able to partake in extracurricular activities that you honestly enjoy.

That is the most amazing thing of all. Welcome to college, Class of 2020!