I know it’s scary to be a wide-eyed freshman. But I don’t want you to see it this way. I don’t want you to fear everything that is unknown and new, and, well, scary. I want you to embrace it. You see, you’re entering the real “best years”. That term is thrown around often, but I think it really applies to college. You’ll never be in a completely new place where you’re forced to make your own friends again and where it’s socially acceptable to go out three times a week and then go to class the next day like nothing happened. I’m telling you, there’s no place like college.

I hope you love the people you meet. I hope you’re open to their way of life, to learning about where they came from and understanding their story. This is the first time you aren’t confined to the people of the small town we grew up in who know everything about each other, and who have been surrounded with the same way of thinking as you have. Embrace their weird accents, and let them make fun of yours. Understand the differences you all possess, but realize how much you both love Chinese food or the same music. These people will become some of your best friends. I hope you take advantage of their company. After all, they’re the only people who will be by your side through your journey.

I hope you enjoy living on your own for the first time in your life. Here’s the thing: college is “fake real-life.” That’s what I’ve decided. It’s so much more than not having to answer to Mom and Dad when you come home at 2 a.m. It teaches you independence, and you’ll learn how to do everything you need to live (pretty much) by yourself. It teaches you time management because no one is telling you what to do after your 8 a.m. and before your 2 p.m. But the best part of living on your own is the freedom. And I mean freedom to travel, to explore, to see. You are in the middle of somewhere you’ve never been before. See what’s around you, how people live. Your new home will only be as good and as comfortable as you make it so do your research and get to know the area. In no time, you’ll be addicted to the coffee shop you start to frequent, and you’ll find a quaint Italian restaurant that’s almost as good as Mom’s cooking.

I hope you fall in love with your school, the community, and the activities your school has to offer. Find the place on campus where you can go when you need a break or when you miss home; a place that makes you feel a little more whole. Search around campus. I promise it’s there. Fall in love with the community and the sports games and the clubs that talk about things you care about. You’ll feel like you belong if you do this. Suddenly, you’re at home. The team's win is your win. You feel like you’re part of something. Wear blue and yellow like crazy to every football game and every hockey game. You will never regret having too much spirit or being too involved.

I hope you love your classes (I know this is nerdy, but bear with me). The best part about college is that you’re actually learning about things you care about (once you get past Core classes). You’ll be learning about things that will impact your future, and things that will make you the best nurse ever. It’ll be hard. Memorizing human anatomy isn’t going to be fun, but being a nurse will be. I know you can do it. I hope you know it, too.

There’s only one time you can do the crazy, ridiculous, weird things that you can do in college. That time is now. I hope you make the best of every moment. It goes by fast, my little freshman, you’re in for a heck of a ride.