Dear Freshman Year College Students,

First off, I can't believe it's already been a year since I was you guys. Time flies by! Before I know it, I'll be graduating. Anyways, being a sophomore and already experiencing my first year of college I wanted to give some advice to you newbies.

First off, have fun! Make all the memories you can. Take all the chances you get and don't think twice. It is so much better to live a life with regrets than what ifs.

Secondly, be nice to everyone. You never know when someone you know will be in your lecture of 400 people and you need help with assignments or due dates. College is all about connections so don't make any negative ones. Speaking of connections, make as many friends as possible! College introduces you to so many people from all over! It's the coolest thing ever! Make friends from different places so you can visit them! Your college friends will be your lifetime friends so don't ever be too shy to introduce yourself to them. Besides, you never know when in your future years of college you'll need a place to crash or sleepover. Now I would like to talk about networking. NETWORK you heart out! What I mean by this is, go to job fairs, go to clubs where professionals speak, go intern places, meet all the people in the work world you can. The more people you know, the easier it is going to be to get a job out of college. As for schoolwork, grades are important. Grades get you those great internships you will need. Sometimes you will need to stay in on a Saturday night or pull an all-nighter and that's okay! Hard work ALWAYS pays off in the long run. Join as many clubs as possible. Clubs are a great way to meet friends and to learn about many opportunities. Plus they are a great resume builder and link to community service activities. Be a leader not a follower. Get out of your comfort zone. Try new things. Most importantly, don't give up. College is tough in all different aspects, but it also is the best time of your life. Don't go home every weekend. Enjoy your independence and fun. Last but not least, have fun!