Enjoy your first year. Enjoy every moment of it. It might seem like it's going to last forever, but it won't. They'll tell you this. The sophomores, juniors, and seniors will all tell you that your time at university will fly by. You won't believe them. You might be anxious. You might be scared. You'll probably think you're not good enough. The first week might seem like a lifetime, but after that it'll only feel like seconds. As a soon-to-be sophomore, I have experience with these feelings. Here are some important things to remember along the way.
1. You will be good enough.
College is all about discovering who you are. It's taking classes that interest you, and discovering what you want to do with your life along the way. There's no reason to worry about being good enough. You'll do great. College isn't as scary as it seems. The university wants you to succeed. The professors will want to help you. Most professors are extremely nice and understanding. If you need help, just ask. They'll help you. The majority of professors like when students asks questions. Remember to study though. Don't neglect your studies in an attempt to fit in.
2. Your pets will not forget you.
This was a big fear I had about college. I was worried that if I moved away, my dogs would forget who I was. It's hard to be away from your family. It's weird to imagine them living a life without you. It's also really hard to leave everything you know. It's comforting to know that your parents won't forget you. This is something I knew for certain. I didn't, however, know if my pets would remember me after months of separation. I realize now, this was a silly fear to have. Dogs are life long companions. They won't forget you. They'll miss you and they'll greet you with lots of love when you return home.
3. Savor the time you have.
It will be gone before you know it. You might not believe this right now. It probably seems like impending doom. Moving away from everything you know is terrifying. The first week will go by extremely slow. You'll question yourself. You'll question whether you can handle living away or not. You'll question whether you can handle the school load. It'll go by at a snails pace. That first week will feel horrible, but everything after that will be great. You'll make friends. You'll become comfortable with your classes. Your little dorm room will start to feel like home. Your roommate will be your closest friend, as will your hall mates. Before you know it, college will feel just as much like home as your actual home.
4. Don't hate on the freshman dorms.
They might not be luxurious. Okay, they're basically the opposite of luxurious. Freshman dorms look a little like insane asylums, but that's okay. Freshman dorms are where your closest friendships will form. If you live in an all-girls freshman dorm, you'll make friends who are like sisters. Weeks will go by studying in the lounge area together, eating popcorn, and hanging out. This time doesn't last. Before you know it, you'll all be going in different directions. Cling to the time you have. Don't forget these friendships as you move forward in life.
