Dear First-Year College Student,
People always say that the time you spend at college is the time of your life. There's no doubt that they're right, but just because it's supposed to be the time of your life, that doesn't mean that it's going to be easy. I'd hate to break it to you, but college is hard. You're going to struggle, but it's worth it.
Everything you already knew about school is changed. You will no longer spend seven consecutive hours in class. Instead, you will have maybe one morning class and then two afternoon classes, and that schedule isn't the same every day. You will ALWAYS have schoolwork. You will quickly learn that getting by with all A's is not a thing. There's no such thing as a "slack class," because even the class you think is a "slack class" could sneak up on you at the end of the semester (trust me when I say this because I got a B... in art). Some classes may only have two or three major tests that count for a huge chunk of your grade. You're living at school (take a moment to think about that because it should be your worst nightmare). As scary as all that is, it is definitely doable. Go to your professor for help. Take advantage of campus study tools, like tutors. If you go into this year with the mindset that it's going to be hard, you will work harder and not be as overwhelmed when the workload hits you.
Finding a solid group of friends is probably the hardest part of going to college. Honestly, it takes a while to find that group. You'll meet a bunch of people down your hall, in your classes, and in clubs. But those first few friends you make will most likely be really good acquaintances, and that's okay. Every first year student is in the same boat. They are all looking for new friends. Find someone to walk to class with, ask people to go eat with you at the dining hall (or any better option), or invite someone new to go with you to a club/campus ministry. Slowly but surely, you will find your community. That community will be one of your favorite things about college and what keeps you going through the toughest times.
Throughout the year, you will learn a lot. You'll learn that with each visit home, it gets harder to leave. You'll learn how glorious a home cooked meal tastes. You'll learn how important it is to keep in touch with your friends back home. You'll learn that it is possible to have two homes. One is your hometown that is filled with family, old friends, and memories. The other is your sweet little college town filled with new adventures, new friends, and memories waiting to happen.
This year will fly by. Before you know it, it'll be May. Your dorm room will be empty again, and you will realize that you only have three years left in the college town you call home. Enjoy every little moment including the hard times, because trust me, the struggle is worth it.
Best of luck,
A college sophomore
