Dear Sarah,

It's going to be okay. I know freshman year is a scary thing to experience. You're in a totally new environment, distanced from home, surrounded by a bunch of outgoing people who seem to already have their friend group established. I'm here to let you know, it's going to be okay.

You'll make friends.

Sure, it may seem like a lot of people have a solid group of friends already, but there are way more people in the same boat as you. Despite what the dynamic on your hall reflects, there ARE people who are not rushing and probably feel the same way you do about not having an established group of friends already. They want your friendship just as much as you want theirs. If you see someone sitting alone in the dining hall, go sit with them. Yeah, mustering up the courage to actually do it is hard, but the people who you meet by simply sharing a meal is so worth it. Also, chances are they are watching you hoping that you'd do so anyway.

Don't stress about classes.

I'm not saying school isn't important, but honestly, establishing a trust-worthy, fun, accepting group of friends will help you get through college more than that optional biology assignment will. You're incredibly intelligent and hard-working, so I'm absolutely positive school will be a breeze for you if you don't put too much stress on yourself.

Get involved!

Join a club. Join a campus ministry. Join a church. The hardest part of freshman year is definitely getting plugged in to a solid group of people. I tried three different campus ministries before I found my niche. Then, senior year I changed it up again. Seriously, try a bunch of different things and you'll soon find a group that you just "click" with. Also, from my experience, if you choose to join a campus ministry, you'll never feel alone from the very beginning. About 20 people will be coming up and asking you a ton of questions. So don't worry about feeling alone or standing awkwardly in a corner.

Don't go home.

I know this sounds harsh, but you can't come home just yet. I was kind of salty that I didn't have a car my freshman year, but looking back, I'm really glad I didn't. I would have been home that very first weekend if I had brought my CRV with me. So, no matter how much you think you need a hug from mom, don't do it. Stay on campus because you never know what kind of adventures you could go on or who you could meet. You could meet the girl who is going to stand by you on your wedding day. You could meet the classmate who helps you pass anatomy junior year. You could meet the cadet who you end up marrying and having 14 children with one day. So, stay. As tempting as it is to come back to the comfort of home that first weekend, you should stay. Even if that means signing up for a 6 mile hike on Saturday morning. (Which you totally should if the opportunity comes up. Freshman Catherine did this and I would 10/10 recommend.)

Always say yes to adventure.

If people ask you to go out to dinner, say yes. If people ask you to go on a campus scavenger hunt at midnight, say yes. If your roommate asks you if you need anything from Walmart, say yes. If someone asks you to do crack-cocaine, SAY NO. In all seriousness, don't let an opportunity go no matter how much easier it would be to stay in bed and watch Netflix. From these little freshman adventures, you'll gain fun friends, good memories, and hilarious stories.

Well, that's my advice for you, but a couple other people would also like to contribute...

"Go to office hours or die." -Stephen

"Take care of yourself first. If you aren't 100%, you can't help anyone else be their 100%." -Lander

"Don't try to cheat the system. Buy the parking pass no matter how much you think it's a waste of your money because you aren't even guaranteed a parking spot." -Caroline

"Be mindful and a little adventurous. Many things will open up to you and if your heart feels it, pursue it. It's hard to believe it, but you will mature a great deal through college and will look back and not want regrets for opportunities you could have taken." -Ethan

"Try as much new stuff as possible." -Matthew

"Take a break and exercise, even if it seems like a waste of time, you'll definitely work better when you do." -Jon

"Every chance you get for free pizza...or anything free, take it." -Farron

"Don't be afraid to make mistakes because they'll teach you so much about yourself." -Grace

"Don't try to do everything in one year. Pick out a few things you'd like to pursue and concentrate on them. If you can make one or two good friends your first year that you can stay close with long after graduation, you're doing great. You don't need a huge circle of friends to succeed in college. The culture shock will resolve itself, but only if you're willing to embrace change." -Bob

"Don't gain the freshman 15! It ruins you!" -Madeline

"Just because a professor doesn't take attendance doesn't mean you can skip. It'll end up being the difference between an A or B." -Brynn

"Embrace this new adventure and live it to the fullest. You have all the love and support of your entire family to help guide you. Call me anytime. AC loves to listen to you and if I can help, I will! Love you!" -Aunt Cathy

"Begin to train your mind to lead yourself towards opportunities by increasing initiative and eliminating procrastination." -Dad

"Wait for God to bring the right people into your life." -Mom

I love you so much, Gooters.

-Kittoos