Dear Class of 2020,

You're going off to college now after the long wait to finally embark on this journey. I'm going into my sophomore year of college and I can tell you a thing or two that might just revolutionize your entire freshman Fall Quarter (or Fall Semester) at any university.

I know, I know, you've been waiting for this moment, haven't you? I remember I had been when I was in your shoes this time last year. The high school days had come to a close and you had already thrown your graduation cap in the air, and spent the last days of summer getting into shenanigans with your best friends. Now, you are tearing off the bandaid and saying those goodbyes as you all part your separate ways and begin the college move in process.

Moving into college can be intimidating especially if you are going to college without really knowing anyone from high school because that's what I did (and my best friend who went to college a whole state away from me.) Basically in order to make the most of the newness, go out and reach out to all the other people. Odds are if you are living in the dorms, you are probably living in a mainly freshman only dorm or floor and that means everyone else is new. They are in the same boat as you and are probably hoping you go out of your way and talk to them.

Now, I can't speak from direct experience on this, but I know being a new member in a sorority was similar. As shy and introverted as I can be, I went and talked to other girls in the same pledge class as me who also didn't really know anyone else because we were all wee little freshman. None of us had formed friend groups yet and were just as awkward and unsure as the next, but ultimately it worked out in the end. I have the best friends I could have ever asked for.

I know it's difficult, more difficult for some over others, but I push you to go and talk to the other people around you. They probably won't bite and will be grateful you did it.

Also, Class of 2020, as classes are rapidly approaching I highly suggest taking a look at your book list and purchasing those textbooks now. Otherwise, the next thing you'll know is that classes begin Wednesday and one class requires the textbook on the first class so you'll end up dropping the whopping $150 just to buy it from the university's bookstore (true story and it could have been easily avoided!).

Amazon, especially if you search the depths, offers textbooks for fractions of the cost the bookstore will cost you and you can even scour the deep nooks and crannies for the quality of the book from used to like new and new. Even cooler, Amazon offers rentals on a majority of the textbooks and you can even rent them on a Kindle ebook platform.

My last piece of advice to you, Class of 2020 is to enjoy your social time too. Yes, school is important and helps determine your future but don't let "the best years of your life" pass you by because you spent all of your time staked out in the library. Make friends, go to clubs, go out, discover the city or the college town. You'll be amazed by what you find.

You weren't wrong by being excited for your college move in day. I'm sure you'll do great. See you around campus Class of 2020.

xoxo

Aysia