Dear incoming freshman guy or gal,

The time has finally come for you. You made it through four years of high school, and now you are ready to embark on your new journey at college. So, can I just say, CONGRATULATIONS! You conquered another milestone of many in your life and that is pretty amazing. Now, whether you are moving far away from home or not, this is a special time in your life.

I know, you may be scared and anxious because the future is untold, but that is completely normal. Listen, I just graduated college and I am still worried about the future, so I don't think that feeling goes away, unfortunately. However, everyone that is in the same position as you is going to feel the same way, I promise you that. Going from being at the top of the food chain in school to the bottom again is not always easy, but this should be an exciting time for you, full of new experiences and opportunities.

With that being said, it may get lonely from time to time. Try to connect with people interested in similar hobbies as you and get involved on campus. If you ever wanted to join a sorority or a fraternity, try rushing for it. Join a club that sounds appealing to you, try out sports, or even try to become involved in student government. The possibilities are endless and it will allow you to build friendships with people along the way. If nothing else, call your mom because she will always be there for you when you need a little pick-me-up.

As much fun as college may be, it also involves dedicating time for your academics. Don't be that person who skips class all the time and then wonders why their grades are suffering. Remember, you are paying to get an education, so try not to slack off and make sure to ask questions. Your professors are there to help you, so don't be afraid to communicate with them. Try to get ahead on your assignments so you aren't stressing yourself out later, procrastinating to get it all done in one night. Hard work pays off, so study study study and your grades will reflect that.

On a final note, always remember to stay true to yourself. You may feel the need to change who you are in order to fit in with others, but that is just a load of BS. If people can't accept you for who you are, then those are not the right people for you anyways. You will meet so many different people while you are in college, and those people who are meant to be in your circle of friends will gravitate towards you because they like you for who you are.

Now go out there and make the next four years of your life count!

Sincerely yours,

A recent college graduate