Originally when I was looking at colleges, I didn’t want to go in state, let alone in my hometown. But the Lord had a different plan. Oklahoma State University was my dream school, but after receiving a full-tuition scholarship to Central Baptist College (and other side factors), I just couldn’t turn it down. So yes, I attend college in my hometown and despite what I thought early on, I absolutely love it. I get to be close to my family and see all my high school friends when they come home on breaks or random weekends.

Going into freshman year comes with a lot of emotions and nerves. You’re excited and scared all at the same time and don’t know what to expect. Nothing can quite prepare you for this life-changing experience.

Freshman year comes with a lot of lessons, but most of them you learn outside the classroom. However, there are some important school-related things to keep in mind. First off, just because you didn’t have to study in high school does not mean you won’t have to study in college. Trust me, you don’t want to have to learn this the hard way. Also, it will become very easy to procrastinate with all the thrilling activities going on outside of school, and I don’t want to sound like a total mom or teacher, but it’s a lot easier on yourself if you do your assignments early on. (I’m speaking to myself, too.)

But at the same time, you need to take chances and live in the moment. When your friends all randomly decide to go to IHOP at one in the morning, don’t even think about it, go! Get involved in school activities, do intramurals, even if that means embarrassing yourself. These are your last moments to be a kid and not have to worry about everything else in the real world. Because after college, your next step is the real world, having a job, bills to pay, and all your friends have gone separate ways. So learn to live in the moment. Don’t be afraid to change your major because you’ll be behind. Just be glad you’re realizing that your heart is somewhere else before you’re graduated from college with a major that doesn’t excite you and isn’t what you want to spend your life doing.