Dear incoming student,

Welcome to college! I am so excited for your new journey to begin. I understand you may or may not want to be here. While motivation for college will not be the same for most, there is one thing you should have in common with your fellow classmates. It is not the syllabus, the over-priced textbooks, or the first day outfit you should be fretting over. It is your attitude. You have the power to make these next four (or five) years of your life unforgettable. You have the power to make these so miserable you'd wish to forget them. Simply put, these next few years are in your hands.

You are a person first. Life is crazy and college is no exception. In order to stay sane, you will need time to yourself. You need to prioritize yourself. Do not hesitate to say no to friends or schedule less hours at work because you have got too much going on. Keep in mind all-nighters and days feeling like your head is spinning are inevitable! Remember why you are here. Do not let someone tell you what you can and cannot major in. Sometimes you need a to treat yourself to a meal off campus or that DVD you've had your eye on for the past month. You will meet tons of people your first year.

You are a student second. It is all about the paper (money and a degree), right? Right! College is a place to learn inside and outside of the classroom; however, the classroom counts (quite literally)! No one is perfect and, yeah, it is not ridiculous to miss a few classes over the next few years, but keep in mind you (or someone else) is paying for your education. If do not go to class, then they are paying for nothing. College is a privilege. There are tons of students who do not get to work towards a higher education simply because a dollar amount is holding them back. Again, do not let someone tell you what you can and cannot major in. I do not care if it is your parent, your best friend, your adviser, a perfect stranger, or the voice in the back of your head.

Embrace your new surroundings. If you find yourself interested in something you are scared about, don't let fear hold you back. Better to try and realize it is not for you. Remember you will meet more people your freshmen year than any other. Enjoy every second because it will fly by.

Sincerely,

Allison (a sophomore reminiscing about her freshmen year).