Dear Incoming Freshmen,
Your next year is going to fly by in a blink of an eye. This summer is going to end before you know it and then you’re on your own…mostly. It’s okay to be nervous - I pretty much cried my entire move-in day. But you are going to make it. It’s new. Everyone is just as nervous as you, but people show it in different ways. It’s going to be awkward with some people from your floor that you are kind of forced to interact with, but before you know it you will be getting in trouble with RAs for rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably with them during quiet hours or having random dance parties to Taylor Swift. Take time to remember these awkward moments or meeting new people because the people that you are meeting could potentially be your people, your new best friends. Eventually, you will give anything to remember the first time talking to them or your first impression. I remember seeing this blonde haired guy around my dorm doing twenty laps around my wing talking on the phone and every time he came around the corner we would make awkward eye contact while I was still in my room and he would burst out laughing. I even took a snap chat of him and said, “Who is this guy?” This guy turned into one of my best friends, one of the greatest people I know and he has filled my life with laughter and craziness. Take the chance to talk to the random people in the study lounge, I promise you it is worth it. There will be many nights where you say you will study, but then you find yourself watching “New Girl” with this red-haired girl and you will both eye each other and say, "only one more" after you have already watched it for the last two hours. Don’t be shy. Be yourself. It might take awhile, but you will eventually find your way around campus. Befriend the sweet coffee ladies. I promise you that they will become your grandparents away from home sweet home and there’s a pretty good chance that they will compliment you on your outfit. Also, you will find that they will ask every time you are with a guy if you two are together. They will even ask you in front of the guy. They live for romance, I swear. Find your coffee ladies. Visit them every day. Also, find a friend that you can tell absolutely anything and everything to because your high school friends are only a phone call away, but you are on a new path. It might take some time, but you will eventually find the person to confide in when your whole world turns upside down or you just need to be dramatic for a little bit. Remember those nights that you watch The Bachelor with the girls and how you all screamed when the girl you hated most got voted off. Remember those deep conversations with your roommate late at night when all you want to do is go to bed, but you have important details to discuss that absolutely cannot wait until morning. If your roommate is anything like mine, she will become one of your best friends. The one you will nonstop laugh with until you are peeing your pants…it has happened too many times. I know for a fact that I’m already planning to have my roommate as a bridesmaid in my wedding, which is very, very far away in the future. A girl can plan, right? Although this may not be the case for everyone, you will find your people and I know tons of people did not get along with their freshman roommate. It is not a make or break deal. You will find your home away from home even if it’s not in your room or your roommate. It’s going to be okay. You are going to survive this. Remember every detail because you will make mistakes, you will experience heartache, and you will fail. This is okay; it’s part of life. You learn and grow from your mistakes. It is scary that you are on your own, but these next four years will probably be the best years of your life. Live your life. Find your people. Laugh like you never laughed before. You will never know who might walk into your life and change it forever. Good luck! You’re going to be just fine.
Sincerely,
A person who was in your shoes twelve months ago
