I wish I had some profound advice for you. I wish I could give you a bullet-point list on how to make freshman year the easiest year of your life. I wish there was a magical mathematical formula on how to kill it the next few months, but there isn't. If there is, I haven't found it. Truthfully, your freshman year of college will be the most exciting, nerve-wracking, joy-filled, lonely, and life-changing year of your life. I wish I could be there to cheer you on as you make new friends and experience new things for the first time; I wish I could be there to save you from the inevitable lonely nights, the tears from homework stress, and the freshman 15 (it's a real thing). I pray that you have the easiest transition into college life, but I know that you are in for a wild ride. My freshman year was one of the craziest years of my life. My opinions, my body, my taste in guys, my favorite foods, my major, my favorite book, my idea of fun -- all of it changed. Maybe it will all change for you too, or maybe it will stay the same.

Here's the thing: college is the biggest change of your life. It's probably the first time you're not living with your parents. You'll learn to appreciate them in new ways, but you may not believe in everything they do by the end of the year. It's probably the first time you're away from the friends you've had since fourth grade. You're going to make new friends, and trust me when I say that freshman year is the best fresh start. You're no longer held down by the expectations people held of you in high school. You're no longer your older siblings' little brother/sister. You're no longer the ex of that one guy/girl. You're no longer the person who did something really embarrassing at sophomore homecoming. In college, you're allowed a do-over, and it starts at move-in day. If you're anything like me, this do-over is the freshest new start, and it can be so freeing.

Before I started college, I heard loads of advice on what college would look like and what I should make of my four years. I imagined my college years to look very similar to any college-aged, young adults movie. I imagined finding the best friends of my life on day one. I imagined the late nights, the parties, the cute boys. I imagined an effortless year full of movie-perfect nights. No one told me how hard it would be to find community. No one told me how incredibly awkward it would be trying to make new friends, but it is. My biggest piece of advice for you is this: you have to seek out community. It won't land in your lap. It's going to feel weird, but here's another handy piece of advice: everyone feels weird, and nobody else knows what they're doing either. Everyone is moving into a dorm for the first time. Everyone is trying to make new friends. Everyone is trying to find their place. You are not alone, even if it may feel that way. Force yourself to go to join a club, sport, or ministry. Tell that girl in your class that she has super cute shoes, and ask her name. Ask someone in your class to study with you. Find out who's going to the football game and ask if you can tag along. Do something to find community. It's awkward, and it may be difficult for you, but it's a lot better than sitting in your dorm room alone.

The last thing you should know is this: college is freaking awesome. You have the freedom to make choices for yourself. You can go get Russian dumplings at 2am. You can binge watch the entire Harry Potter series in one day. You can play Spike Ball on the lawn. You can sign up for an 8am, and then only go four times (you probably won't pass the class, but you can do that). You can skip class and go get Thai food. You can attend every class and have a perfect attendance record. College truly is what you make of it. Don't overwork yourself. Take classes that interest you. Don't be afraid to change your major. This month you're moving in, and before you know it you'll be packing for summer break. Good luck, and have some fun.

Sincerely,

Another College Student