To the class of 2020,

Congratulations on your achievements thus far! No, seriously. You are now part of something great, something that is striving to change the world we live in to make it a better place for everyone that lives in it.

Do not let that scare you off; we are all in this together even if we are at different universities, colleges, and campuses. I know it was not easy to get where you are today. Once you step on campus, suitcase in one hand and campus map in the other, give yourself a moment to praise yourself for coming this far. You survived endless nights studying for those AP exams, applying to every college you wanted to go to (and the ones your parents wanted you to go to), and you ran clubs and school events. After that moment, realize that you are no longer at the top of the pyramid here. I bring this up for two reasons: 1) You can become something completely new. Welcome to a fresh start. Take a deep breath and look around at your surroundings, at your new canvas. You will thrive, grow, and yes, cry here. 2.) There are people above you on this pyramid that can help you. I'm going to be brutally honest with you, sometimes college sucks, and you will need a helping hand. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

However, that does not mean that you are in this alone. Most colleges and universities will assign freshmen to an upperclassman mentor; take advantage of this. Here, let me say that again for the freshmen in the back, USE YOUR UPPERCLASSMAN MENTOR. Not too long ago, your mentor was in your shoes. A scared freshman with no guidance and no clue where they were supposed to go. Your mentor has been through it all and will be able to lead you in the right direction and give you some tips and hacks along the way. For example, that Keurig you brought to make coffee? You can use it for hot water to make ramen noodles after you used all your meals for the week. You're welcome.

Please, do not forget about your academic advisor either. They are not only assigned to you to help you pick out your classes and scold you when you get poor grades, but they are a parent figure. Most of them will have open office hours, and you can stop by if they are in their office. Go ahead, give it a try. I promise you they won't bite. Just stop by, and let them know how your first week of classes went, how you are adjusting, and do not be afraid to ask them a question about anything.

Go back to Kindergarten for a moment. How did you make friends? They were the kids that liked playing with the blocks that you liked to play with. The kids that also brought Gushers in their Spiderman lunchbox. The kids that had the same light-up Barbie shoes that you had. It is the same game in college. You will make friends with the kids that sign up for frisbee club with you, the ones who also can't stand the mashed potatoes in the cafeteria because they are too runny, the kid next to you in class that has the same laptop as you. Don't be afraid to say, "Hi." Ask some other students in your class if you want to get together to study because Professor Smith is going to kill you with this exam if you don't study. It may be hard at first, but sometimes all you have to do is share your crayons (or notes that the kid next to you missed because he slept in).

You are going to college to learn, to enrich your knowledge and understanding of the world and universe around you. Please, just please, go to class. I know that things happen, like taking that 5th shot at 1 in the morning when your first class the next day is an 8am. Suck it up buttercup, put on a pair on sunglasses, stop at Starbucks, and sit down with the rest of your classmates that made the same mistake...again. This isn't high school where you aren't paying for your education (unless you went to a private high school and had to pay tuition). No one is going to call your house and tell your parents that you didn't show up for class; it is all up to you. Just remember that you are the only one responsible for your education and the loans you have to pay back regardless if you go to class or not.

Like I said before, college is hard. Some days you might get up for class and you ask yourself if you really want to do this. You miss your home, your old friends, and your family dog. You will look over at your desk and see your economics textbook (that you paid way too much for) open to the assignment you didn't finish last night and think, what's the point? You shake your head and see all the dirty clothes on your floor you are afraid to wash because you forgot to ask your mom to write down what colors get hot water and which colors get cold water. You pick up your phone, and turn all your alarms off and throw your blanket over your head, pushing away the nagging feeling that you have to get up. Trust me, I've been there. And, here's a secret. You do not have to do this. You can pack up all your things and go home. You can lay on your couch with your dog and watch Netflix all day. But, what about everything you have struggled for so far? Your first test you got back with an A on the front, the meeting with your academic advisor congratulating you on your progress so far, the letters from friends and family telling you how proud they are and they wish you the best. When you feel like giving up, think about what you have done up to this point. Look at your progress, your achievements and you will strive forward. Take it from a girl who thought about giving up MANY times her freshman year, and now, I will be graduating in the Spring.

From the class of 2017, I would like to personally welcome you into the collegiate world. You will love it here; I know I sure did.