To all the incoming freshman, the newbies, the babies, the new kids on the block, the ones who look a little lost,
Welcome to college. Welcome to the best four years of your life. I know everyone is going to tell you that. They are going to tell you to enjoy it while it lasts and to be present in the moment always.
Well, they’re right. Being a freshman in college is nothing like high school. Everyone loves you and wants you to love your school as much as they do.
Don’t get me wrong; college will test you. College tests your patience, your intelligence, your study skills, your friend-making skills, and last but not least, your laundry skills.
Your freshman year will test you in ways you never thought possible. You are going to be thrown out into the big, bad world for the first time, on your own, and be forced to do everything by yourself. Here’s a secret, though: it’s not so bad. You can get through it all.
It’s time to grow up now. You'll get your own food, follow a schedule, make your bed, keep your dorm room clean, and function like an adult in society.
It's all possible, and as you do all of these things, remember, you are not the only one learning. There are millions of other people your age doing the exact same things as you.
It’s okay to be nervous. It’s okay to be afraid of leaving your hometown besties and the people you grew up with. It’s alright to miss your parents and call them a hundred times a day because, as my mom can attest to, I do just that. You can ask questions and be curious.
Try new things, whether it be foods or activities. Make friends in your classes because they will be the one to send you the notes or homework you missed when you just didn’t feel like going to lecture on that Friday afternoon. Take care of yourself because you don’t need to go out every night and risk getting sick just to participate in “Thirsty Thursday.” Study and take an interest in your classes. Lastly, have fun and enjoy being a freshman.
Enjoy yourself because, as I say all the time, I would pay some serious money to be a freshman all over again.
From,
The soon-to-be-sophomore forever wishing she could be a freshman again