Before you go off to college I want to impart some wisdom onto you that I learned as a freshman.
1. Classes
No matter what anyone says you have to, have to, have to go to classes because you NEVER know when they will take attendance for a grade. Yes, professors take a full grade just for students showing up. Also, I suggest you never take an 8 am class unless that is your only option. The earliest classes I had was 9 am and I still struggled to get up, but truly no one cares what you look like at those early classes.
2. Greek life
If you decide to go Greek, please do not go a certain fraternity just because your friends are. What is right for them may not be right for you and vice versa, so never pressure someone into joining the same thing. On another note, you will have to put up with certain things as a pledge, but there is a definite line in what you should and should not put up with. Use your judgment, and if for some reason it ever just does not “feel right” that’s because it either is not the right house for you, or Greek life is not for you, and that is perfectly okay!
3. Friends
Make new ones and keep the awesome old ones. You will meet people from all walks of life and from all over the country so embrace your differences and you can maybe learn a thing or two from them. You will grow and change more in your first year of college than you ever have so far, and with that, friends tend to change, and that is normal. For the friends who are at different schools, keep in touch because when you come home it is one massive reunion with them.
4. Food
Try not to eat complete crap every day. I know you will, but try to throw in some veggies and fruit occasionally. You will desperately miss Mom’s cooking and the food from home. Go eat at the fraternity house as much as possible because I bet that food is much better than the food in the cafeteria. Also, try not to spend a crap ton of money on campus. The food off campus is much cheaper than the restaurants within walking distance.
5. Money
Oh my, I wish I was smarter with my money. BUDGET!! You will want to take those away game trips and if you blow your money on going out to eat and just random stuff then you will be struggling to even get through the first semester. Trust me. Set up how much you can spend each week and even try to put some away, you will thank me later.
I hope college is everything you ever hoped it would be and more. Don’t forget where you came from and how you were raised. You are out on your own but never forget I am a phone call or drive away, and if you ever need me for anything at all I will be there in a second. You will never be the same person you were the day you step foot on that campus, so take time to just look around and enjoy it. You deserve it. I love you.
-Big Sister
