Dear college freshmen,
I know it's only July, and you really don't want to think about the new school year yet, but please take a moment and listen to some advice.
Some colleges try to play it nice and call you "first-years" or something, but you're freshmen. And honestly, don't take offense to that. It's not high school, and college kids really don't seem to care that you're freshmen.
Don't be afraid. My anxiety had me all worked up for my first year, but there was nothing to be afraid of. Our orientation staff did an amazing job of telling me what I needed to know and making friends was a breeze.
Friends will come and go, but you will make them. And some of them won't even be in your major or graduating class; but, hey, that's even better.
That brings me to my next point. Listen to those of us that are older. If we tell you Biology 132 is harder than all the other biology classes, it's true. We were you once.
Now classes are classes and all, but the non-class stuff is what makes college. So I'll be typical and tell you to get involved. Like chemistry, but don't want to major in it? Join chemistry club anyway! Intramural keep you fit and it's with friends. Jobs give you money and new experiences. Try all sorts of things because you never know what will stick with you. (Plus a lot of clubs have free food at events)
Woo! College! Stay up all night and drink and skip classes! Right? No. No. No. Go to class. Make relationships with your professors. They will be the ones that will write your letters of recommendation in four years. Plus, professors drop test hints during lectures.
The only classes you take are your major classes, right? Nope. Branch out and take some fantastic fun classes. I'm going to take an oboe class because I've always wanted to learn. My more artistic friends have taken drawing for the fun of it.
You think you know your future, but you're only 18. Things change so quickly that you should keep your options open and not worry about everything. It's OK to change you major 4 times in your first two years.You're just figuring it out.
But that leads to my biggest point yet.
Read this:
Don't blow college off. Study hard and maintain a good GPA because you don't know what you want from your future and you may need that GPA for graduate school.
That is my biggest regret from my first year. I thought it was lame to study so I didn't and my GPA suffered. But now after helping kids with medications all summer, I wish I could go to graduate school for pharmacy or medicine. But I can't.
But, guys, seriously, just have fun. It's college. It is fun. You'll be OK.
With lots of love,
A college senior
