Dear Freshman Self,
Even with all the advice, Pinterest boards, and excessive dorm room shopping, nothing could have prepared you for your freshman year of college. It was a crazy time filled with change, growth, and challenges, but every second of it was so worth it. After surviving two years of college, though, there are a few things I wish I could’ve told you before starting freshman year.
When your parents drop you off at college, spend as much time with them as you can.
Pose for every single picture they want to take of you (even if that means a forced smile photo with the stranger you’ve just met and will be living with for the rest of the year). Tour the campus with them, explore the surrounding town with them and give them hugs whenever they want. They deserve it and whether you admit it or not, you will miss them.
Don’t sign up for 8 a.m. classes if you don’t have to.
Even if you think you’re a morning person at home, you’ll learn that being a morning person in college translates into staying up every night until 3 a.m. Waking up for class at 7 a.m. and stumbling around your room in the dark while trying not to wake up your roommate is half the battle. The worst part is struggling to stay awake in a nearly empty classroom while your professor drones on and on to you because the rest of the students skipped class to sleep.
Reach out to people and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself.
I know it can be scary, but just like you, everyone else is looking to make friends and they don’t know anyone either. You might have to force yourself into making new college student small talk (Where are you from? What are you studying? Which dorm do you live in?), but it will lead to wonderful friendships.
Don’t be afraid to set boundaries with your roommate.
Yes, it feels easier to be passive and agree on everything right away, but addressing issues and things that may bother you can prevent a lot of issues later on. Do you mind if your roommate turns the light on while you’re sleeping? Does she mind if your desk is a constant explosion of papers and coffee cups? Get potential issues out in the open from the start.
Get some sleep.
Pulling consecutive late nights (or should I say early mornings?) can be fun in the moment, but feeling like a zombie all week isn’t, and no amount of coffee can make up for your lack of sleep.
You know the school lanyard you get at the beginning of the year with a name tag and a convenient place to store your keys and key card? Use it. Wear it.
Yes, you probably look like a dork and everyone will know that you are a freshman but, you won’t constantly lose your keys and lock yourself out of your dorm building, and people will be grateful that you’re wearing a name tag so they don’t have to awkwardly ask you your name five times. It’s a win-win.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
There are so many things to do and people to hang out with, but if you say yes to everything, you will completely wear yourself out and feel drained. As hard as it is to say no to hanging out with a friend or going on a late night adventure, your personal wellbeing and studies need to come before your want to say yes.
Procrastinate on procrastinating.
In other words, don’t procrastinate. As soon as you’re given an assignment, start preparing for it. The due date might seem far off but it will come up way too fast. The best part about getting assignments done right away is that you’ll be able to say yes to spontaneous adventures with friends.
Get involved in a church and college group.
You’ll meet so many kind and welcoming people that will encourage you to pursue Christ. Not to mention, you’ll learn to play plenty of hilarious games and will always have an escape from the stress and busyness of classes and work.
Make an effort to get to know people and their stories and don’t be afraid to be open and vulnerable.
You’ll meet so many people with different backgrounds than your own and will have the opportunity to gain so many new perspectives. You’ll also learn to show so much more understanding, compassion, and care for other people.
Wishing you the best,
Your Slightly Wiser Junior Self
