Dear Illinois State Freshman,
Wow, would I give anything to trade places with you right now. Within this last week, you probably said goodbye to your best friends from home as you all left for different colleges, cried as you left your dog, quadruple checked your belongings to make sure you had every single thing as if you were never going home again, hugged and kissed your parents goodbye as they walked out of your dorm and, if you're anything like me and my freshman roommate, you danced around and jumped for joy once that door was shut and we were free. I am sure over this past summer you have gotten loads of advice from family, friends and even strangers about college, which is thoughtful, but what I am here to do is give you the real advice you need as a freshman at Illinois State University, because let me tell you there are certain things you need to know that only pertain to here. So here I go.
Don’t go home.
This is your chance to truly begin to become independent. I know you miss your parents, your dog, your siblings or your favorite local restaurant, but I promise you that none of it is going anywhere. College is four years, which sounds long but goes by faster than you can spell your own name. Someday when you graduate and you look back on these days, you will regret missing that homecoming tailgate or darty (day party) because you went home to just sit on your couch and watch Netflix. Give yourself the six-week rule, where you don’t go home for six weeks. I promise you once you succeed that you’ll realize you don’t need home as bad as you thought.
Freshman 15 exists.
Oh yes youngins, this is a real thing. In high school, most of you probably played sports or just haven’t been introduced to the wrath of Burnett’s, a dining center with everything you can imagine, or Watterson Subway. Honestly, use the Rec Center, it’s great. Eat a salad, drink a lot of water and walk to Tri to eat.
With that said, Firehouse pizza slices.
When I was a freshman, this wasn’t a thing, thank god, because freshman 15 would have been freshman 50, but I’ll let you in on the secret: $3 giant slices after 10 p.m. at Firehouse in Uptown. You’re welcome.
Be nice to everyone.
There needs to be more people like this in the world, so be that person. Leave the drama in high school. Say hi to everyone, go out of your way to talk to people, always make people feel welcome. With that said, you never know who will be your boss someday, and you don’t want to burn bridges.
Wash your hands.
Dorms are gross and filled with germs. Wash your hands 20 times a day and carry hand sanitizer. I had strep throat six times freshman year, so enough said.
Get involved.
ISU has so many different organizations and clubs to be a part of. When you’re a senior and applying for jobs and going to interviews, it won’t do you any good to just have a degree. Build your resume with leadership positions, organizations, internships and other jobs. Also, yes there’s a squirrel club.
Go to class.
Just suck it up and do it. You may not realize it, but college isn’t free LOL! And student loans are real, so as much as you’ll want to be in college forever, you’ll regret if you fail because you just didn’t go to class.
If you join Greek life, have friends in other houses.
First of all, I highly encourage you to rush a sorority or pledge a frat. It is hands down the best college decision I’ve ever made. Go through recruitment or pledging at least, and if it’s not for you that is totally OK, but at least give it a chance. Trust the process. But as I said, if you do go through, have friends in other houses, you can all relate, trust me (special shout out to my gamma hoots).
Never study on floor six of Milner.
Unless you're going to the library to not study, just don’t do it. The quiet floor is your friend.
Network
Start as a freshman, seriously. Go to career fairs and talk to employers. On the first day of class, introduce yourself to your professors; trust me they will remember you and be in your favor. A part of the reason I love ISU so much is because if you make an effort to network and be involved, you will never just be a number.
Sunday scaries are a real thing.
It happens to everyone, and the first time is the scariest. All I can say is have four to five best friends with you, and if you’re like me a teddy bear to squeeze as you all cram on a futon watching "Grey’s Anatomy" and puzzling together the weekend.
Have chill nights.
I know college has this vision of going out and partying, but take it from someone who is a BIG supporter of sweatpants, Netflix and a nice bag of kettle corn, you need to take nights off and just relax.
Save the bars for junior and senior year.
Enjoy the perks of not having to go to a bar and spend money. If you try to go to bars as a freshman or sophomore you will have nothing to look forward to as a junior and senior. Chasers isn’t going anywhere.
Don't blink.
If you think high school went by fast, you have no idea what’s coming. I remember the day I got dropped off at college as if it were yesterday. It’s the most cliché thing that you’ll hear 100 times, but college is the best four years of your life. Be smart, stay active, be safe and enjoy everything it has to offer, because before you know it you’ll be me, sitting at a computer wanting to cry because you’re a senior, and your biggest worry isn’t what you want to do that night, it’s that you don’t have the option to do something that night because you’re applying for a real job and looking for a career.
Best of luck, I am vigorously living through you all, roll birds.
Sincerely,
A very envious Illinois State senior
