To the incoming freshmen,
Congratulations on completing high school, you were able to hold your head up high on that stage and say, “I did it.” You finally made it through eight rounds of finals, three sets of standardized testing, and a horribly long ACT or SAT. You all have chosen a school where you feel like you could fit in (or where you could fit the tuition into the budget). You are going to start the next part of your life. It will be dazzling, new school, new people, new home. You will be so independent and adult-like. But not all of it will be rainbows and butterflies. College is not a walk in the park. As social as college is, the main focus should be on your education. Classes are still difficult in college. In fact, they are harder if you can believe it. There are tons of homework and reading -- more than I ever even thought of in high school. Professors will not put up with missing or late assignments. There is little to no wiggle room when it comes to actually learning the material. In high school, it was all about the grade. You need the good grade to get into college, who cares if you don’t remember anything, right? But in college, it is all about what you know. You are preparing yourself for your future career or maybe even your future schooling. It is so easy to get sucked into the glitz and glamor of college. The party scene, the hot guys doing laundry… It’s all great and fun but you need to remember to put your education first. I mean that is why you are shelling out so much money, right?
Don’t get me wrong; I am not saying the social part of college isn’t important. Your college is going to become your new home and you need to find a place where you feel comfortable and be yourself. So obviously being social is one way you can make college feel like home. Try to surround yourself with people who you relate to. For example: During my freshman orientation, I met this girl who was from a city close to mine. We even knew some of the same people. We instantly clicked. It was so easy to talk to her and together we branched out and created a group of friends that are so close and wonderful. Your friends can help make your transition into college so easy and seamless. No one should have to do it alone.
College is really what you make of it. If you want to have a very quiet college career you can. If you want to go out and meet every student on campus and be student body president you can do that too! The options are endless when it comes to the enjoyment of your college career. But let me bestow upon you some knowledge from a wise old sophomore: go to class, do your homework, and find yourself a cool friend to take on the ride with you. You will remember your time at college for the rest of your life. So try and make it great.
