Dear Freshmen,

Your time has come. You left your home. You left your parents. You left your childhood friends. You left your comfy bed. You left your high school life behind you. You finally entered a new stage in your life.

Are you a little scared to start this journey? It's ok. I have been there. You are nervous that you are going to get lost on your first day. You are nervous that you aren't going to make a great first impression with your professor and fellow classmates. You are nervous to walk into your classroom and choose a seat. Do you sit in the back? The front? By the windows? Again, it's going to be ok. Every freshman feels the same way. We all have to go through with it. Next year as a sophomore, you will laugh the way you felt and acted as a freshman.

You also may be worrying about if you chose the right major. Should you explore other options? When should you make that decision? In addition to your decision about the right choice of major, you may be worrying if you are going to like your classes? Should you drop a class? Like I said before, it's going to be ok. You have plenty of time to figure out your plan. You can change your major as many times as you want. Look at me for instance. I changed my major multiple times. Unfortunately, I have to stay an extra semester, but I figured out my career plan and had more opportunities to grow as a student and professional.

While you may be homesick or nervous for your first day as a freshman, it will be one run 24 hours. It will be a hectic day. It will be stressful finding your classes and making new friends. But it's a new adventure. It's a new beginning. It's a step to freedom.

Sincerely,

A fifth year senior who was once a freshman