A Letter To The Second Semester Freshman

So if you're reading this article, congratulations! you made it passed your first ever semester in college. However, it wasn't all fun and games to get there. It took work, lots of crying, and tons of support to get where you are now as a person. Let me tell you, as a second semester freshman that wasn't easy.

Just in my first semester alone I learned that college is not what my high school teachers made it out to be. I was told it would be the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. What I learned is that although college is challenging, it's not nearly as hard as how high school teachers make it out to be. The part that makes college hard is time management. When it comes to either reading that chapter or binge watching the newest season of Grey's Anatomy, I would much rather binge watch Grey's Anatomy than read a 50 page chapter for General Chemistry, but to make the grades I want, I'm going to read that chapter because it's more important than figuring out . I'm going to work hard to get the grades I want so I can go far in life. Everyone says C's get degrees, and yes, it may be true but your ultimate goal is to get A's and B's so you can get the best career after college possible.

I also learned that your roommate may not be the nicest person in the world. Sure, movies about college project your roommate as being your best friend in the whole wide world, being the maid of honor at your wedding, and even the godmother of your children but that reality is often not true. Sometimes your roommate will be the kind that comes from those stories you read on Tumblr and Reddit, and sometimes they won't. Sometimes they'll act nice to you at points and then be entirely rude to the rest of your friends, you, and your boyfriend. Whatever your situation is, it's all in the past now. You're a better person for it, and you have the willpower to rise above it. So don't be afraid to go out and make friends that will better you as a person and encourage you to do great things.

And for you girls who hate the idea of dating in college because guys are immature, don't hate it. I was in your shoes at the beginning of the semester myself. I went on several dates with guys that ended rather badly and I kept asking myself if this is how college was going to be. Little did I know that the guy perfect for me was a boy I was friends with throughout high school. Although our first date was a little rocky, he's definitely made up for it since then. We've happily been together now for nearly four months and I wouldn't change a single thing about it. Sure, I met him in high school, but college grows you as a person. My advice is to look deep within yourself and ask what you're looking for in a partner before you swipe on that guy from Tinder, and then sit down and have some quality time with God about it. I assure you, taking time to pray and ask God for help will do wonders. It may not be immediate results in your love life, but I promise he's got a plan that you need to trust in. Who knows? Maybe that guy you sit next to in your math class might be the man of your dreams. Go for it!

The biggest thing, and the last thing I had learned was the concept of going outside of my comfort zone. In high school, I was always the nerdy band geek whose idea of a good time was eating Chipotle in my best friend's basement, playing The Sims 3, and rewatching High School Musical for the fifteen millionth time. In college, I decided to join a professional all female pharmacy fraternity and be involved in lifegroups in my dorm. These were the best decisions I have ever made. I had met people of faith who were on the same path as me and who all support me in daily struggles of college classes. As for my all female fraternity I am now a proud sister of, I made it successfully through rush week, I received a bid, and then I was initiated as a sister a month later. Crazy right? During my time rushing I met up for coffee with some upperclassmen who told me that they too were like me and scared to leave their comfort zone as freshmen in college. However, they also told me that being in such a fraternity made them less frightened and more willing to open up to new people and new experiences they may not have beforehand. So be willing to try new things in addition to the old ones. I promise you, the experiences are definitely rewarding.

So to the second semester college freshman, learn from the mistakes you made first semester and move on. You're a better person now and take pride in that. Go forth and make second semester your semester.