Dear College Freshman,
So, you've graduated from high school. You're high on life, and you cannot wait to go to orientation, take a summer vacation with the family, then MOVE TO COLLEGE!
Moving to college will be the first time you won't have a curfew or "bedtime." You won't have someone making you eat breakfast or forcing you to go to class. Some classes don't even take attendance! (Great, right?) Oh, and rush week! Rush week will be the best and worst week of your life, guaranteed!
You're off to Orientation! I went to orientation with cute outfits packed. I soon realized that everyone else seemed to be much more casually dressed, especially the people already in college! I stuck out, and it was painfully obvious! Wear something casual and comfy!
So, you've loaded up your life, and you're off to college! Your precious parents will help you move more clothes than you can ever wear into a tiny cubicle of a dorm room. This cubicle will soon become your "home," and you get used to sharing your time (pretty much all of it) with another person. You will most likely have a hall bathroom. Yes, you will take cold showers, and yes, all of the stalls will be occupied when you're running late. But, it isn't as bad as you think! Honestly, I dreaded it and didn't always enjoy it, but I missed the hall bathroom when I left.
So, your parents have kissed you goodbye now, and behind sadness, you'll feel invincible! Of course, you and your new friends head to the Square. This will be the first of many nights on the Square, and trust me, one day you will laugh at how painfully awkward these nights were. But GO!!! They are awkward, but this is the best time of your life! You may feel invincible, but trust me, you will wake up one morning and realize you're not …
Don't be afraid to introduce yourself. It may feel like everyone around you is already best friends, but that is not the case. Make as many friends as possible, and ask their names more than once, because trust me it's much harder and more awkward to do this as a junior or even as a senior.
Moving to college will be the first time you won't have a curfew or "bedtime". So, you wanna go to the Square every night. Maybe some people can do this and go to class, but it will soon catch up with you, and you will learn to maybe skip out on a few nights! Drink lots of water and never go to the Square on an empty stomach!!
You like Roosters? Wednesday is karaoke night! You are free to belt "Pour Some Sugar on Me," rap like Nikki Minaj or scream the words to "Stacy's Mom" at the top of your lungs with your best friends! (It's all fun and games until your name gets called and someone else comes on stage with you to sing Michael Jackson.)
NOLA sound like fun? Funky's brings New Orleans to you! (Minus the Saints and great food!) You can also go to NOLA, make good friends with the frat guys! They go every Spring! ;)
Papa John's takes FLEX! Pizza becomes a must after a night on the Square and pizza sticks from the C-Store are… well, they are so good, there are no words!!!
You won't have someone making you eat breakfast or even go to class!! I understand that the professor has told you that you will not be penalized for missing class, but you will. GO TO CLASS! You may not be penalized for just missing the class, but the information is what your parents are paying good money for. Plus, the tests always have much more info than you have time to learn without going to class.
So, you've decided to go Greek?? Getting lots of friend requests? Yes, you probably are being talked about and yes, all of these girls (and guys) are looking through all of your past pictures!
Don't be intimidated by the letters on older girls (and guys) shirts the first day of class. We don't bite, and we would love to study with you!
Before college the biggest shirt I had ever worn was a size medium (and that was big). Now that is the smallest size t-shirt I will wear. You say you won't wear Lululemon shorts or leggings with baggy t-shirts, but you will, and you will absolutely love it.
Rush week will be the best and worst week of your life! Classes don't become easier during rush week, for some reason they seem to become harder. Word of advice, check your syllabus right when school starts. Look for the week of rush and the week after, then go ahead and conquer the papers due those weeks. Start study guides ad note cards for the tests. You will be beyond tired and stressed the week of rush and the last thing you need to be doing is writing a research paper or cramming for a test. (You will thank me later!)
BID DAY is equivalent to Christmas morning!
Swap Season, Date Parties and Formals. Always ask the guy who will be the most fun to formal, and ask a crush to date party, it is low pressure and you get to dance the night away! Swaps are the most fun. Go all out, and dress-up! You will make tons of guy friends, and you will soon become a "groupie" at your favorite fraternity!
The best advice I can give you is to go out, be yourself, and do not live with regrets. Learn from your mistakes, but don't dwell on them. You will fail (and fall), but you will grow from it!
Best of Luck College Freshman,
Kate
