Dear Freshman Self,
So, the time has finally come. You're about to start a whole new chapter in your life. You finally have high school under your belt and you're on top of the world. I know you're nervous about being away from home in college, but I can tell you're ready for it and so can others. Let me give you some advice before you arrive on campus in August:
You’re going to change, for better or for worse. It’s inevitable, but hope for the better.
You've got some surprises headed your way. You may not like some of them, but they're going to make you a stronger person. And you know what? You don't have to deal with them alone if you don't want to. You have an amazing support system at home only a phone call away, and you're going to discover you have one right here at school too.
You are going to get so incredibly lucky when it comes to your first roommate. You two are going to hit it off beautifully. Not everyone is going to have the same experience that you have, but it’s okay. Going into it with an open mind will help makes things easier. This is someone you only have to share a room with, not your life and every detail about it. So even if you don’t find a best friend in your roommate, you’ll still become friends with plenty of other people this year.
The friends you make during this freshman year are going to help you see things in a new light. They're going to help you learn so much about the world and the different ways to navigate them. Remember, many of them are just as nervous as you are, and they’re still trying to figure things out too. Others are going to have a pretty good grasp on it, and will be there to offer you help when you need it. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to call up the friends you have from home — even if they’re away at school, they’re not going anywhere. This is all new for them too.
As cliché as it sounds, stay true to who you are. Go after the things you want in life. I know people say that college is a time to reinvent yourself and that's fine, just make sure that whoever you choose to become is a better you in the end.
It's okay to be scared about this, you're not the first. You are a brave, smart, creative young adult who can make the best of things. You’re going to grumble and cry sometimes, but you're going to be laughing and smiling so much this year. This is the year you learn to be independent. This is the year you start to realize who you are. This is the year you grow. Oh my goodness, how you'll grow. Do you remember how scared you were your first day walking into high school? What about thinking that you'd never be a freshman in college because that was so far away? But here you are, ready for whatever comes your way.
You're going to have the time of your life. Don’t let anything stop you from doing that.
Love,
Almost a Sophomore Self
