Dear Freshmen,

First of all, hey! You start college within the next two months! If you think that means you're going to be an adult then you're wrong, but it's not a bad thing that you won't be an adult just yet! There are basically two types of freshmen, you're either terrified of college or you CANNOT wait for it. A lot of the time your level of excitement is based on your high school experience. If you thrived in high school, you're probably a little hesitant, or maybe high school wasn't your thing and you can't wait for college. Truly, it doesn't matter which category you're in. You're not prepared for college, but don't worry that's part of the charm of college. Nobody's prepared for college, so it kind of bonds everybody in a way. Most people have their mind made up on how their year is going to be after they attend orientation. If orientation pumped you up, run with that! If orientation wasn't your thing, don't run with that. I hated my orientation and am now completely in love with JSU. My orientation experience was so awful because of me, not because of the actual orientation. Jacksonville State wasn't my first choice, but was definitely the best choice I've made.

First of all, start with open minds and attitudes as you approach your college days. You hear the phrase "college changes people" a lot of times with a negative tone. LET COLLEGE CHANGE YOU! College changing me was one of the best things that could have ever happened to me. You have the choice of whether college changes you for the better or the worst. College Life is full of peer pressure. Have your mind made up coming into college on your views and opinions on drinking, dating, politics, and all that other stuff. Also, allow yourself to change your opinion and views on all of those things, just not at 2 a.m. at a frat house.

Stretch your comfort zone and play volleyball with a group of random people, or run to Sonic Happy Hour with your new classmates! Get involved!!!! Getting involved is the best thing you could do! There are many ways to get involved, if clubs aren't your thing, go to events with free food and sit by a stranger or say hey to that person you recognize from psychology.

Now, we need to backtrack a little bit and get ready for your first day of classes. Before the first day of class you need to find all of your classrooms and map out the best route to drive/walk there... that may sound lame, but I promise you'll be glad you did. The first day you can get there 10-15 minutes early if you'd like, but after the first day, get there 7 minutes before class starts. It's great to stay close to your high school friends, but don't miss the chance at making new friends because you're going home every weekend to visit your old ones. College is all about learning, making new friends, figuring out YOUR views on things, and being around people you would never have met without it. Go to as many football games as you can, they're pretty great!

Yes, you need a backpack. Here is one of the biggest shockers of college....you two strap. You and the 43-year-old mom will be the only ones one-strapping it, that was me my first day of class. I know you just got out of high school where everybody was in their social groups and everybody was concerned with what you wear and how "cool" you sounded.... well those days are over. Sure, you can look nice for your first day of class, and take a killer selfie with a bomb quote you googled... but don't look like you're ready for prom pictures. You will have people in pajamas, sweatpants, basketball shorts, and whatever other comfy clothes you can picture. In college most everybody goes by the philosophy of "you do you boo boo" as our SGA president, Tyler Brown, likes to say! This whole "you do you boo boo" thing is pretty great.

Also, you may "know" what you want to do and think it's cool to go on and start taking major classes, it's not. There is a great chance you're going to change your mind, so stick with the generals! You should definitely shadow the profession you're wanting to go into if you haven't, like seriously. College is truly what you make it, so make it awesome!