Dear incoming freshman student,
It's crazy to think that just four short years ago I was in your shoes. Giddy with excitement over an acceptance letter, posting a picture of the envelope on Facebook and Instagram for all the world to see. On Pinterest making "Dorm Room" boards full of ideas of how my roommate and I would have the most picture perfect room ever. Mentally preparing myself to leave everything I've ever known behind in order to chase after everything I've ever wanted in a new, unfamiliar place. It was thrilling. It was terrifying.
College is a challenge. I thought I was ready and I wasn't. But I honestly believe that no one is ever truly ready for new experiences until they are thrown in them and forced to adjust. If you are close to your family, you are going to miss them dearly. If you aren't, you probably will become closer with them while you are away. No matter what is going on at home right now (I understand that teenage angst is at an all-time high), cherish these people because they are going to be the biggest support system that you have your first year.
What about all of your new friends, you may ask. If you venture out of your dorm room and join student organizations you are going to make them. But don't count on these people to be your friends for the rest of your time on campus. One or two may stick around for the long haul. You have to remember not to take anything too personally if y'all drift apart. College is a time to explore who you are and become whoever you want to be. That means that the people you got along with last year, you may not have anything in common with anymore. It is okay. You will find your bridesmaids or groomsmen in college, I promise.
Independence is an amazing feeling. No one to tell you what time your curfew is except you. No one to tell you not to take that tenth shot at a party except your stomach. But don't get out of control. Some people say that everyone has to have those "wild college days." I slightly disagree with that statement. You can definitely have fun without blacking out at a party and not knowing what happened the next day. Find your limit and abide by it. You would hate to be put in a dangerous situation because of an unnecessary "lit"-uation.
Between all of the parties and turn ups, don't forget to handle your business. Get good grades. Make connections. Visit your Career Center at least once per semester to make sure your resume is up to date. Do internships. Study abroad. Network, network, network. You don't want to be frantically searching for a full-time job one week before graduation. Remember the main reason you are in college... To get a job!
Relationships are not the most important thing in your late teens and early 20s. Do not spend your collegiate career tied down to one specific person unless you know for certain that he/she is the one that you are going to marry. The last thing that you want is to date someone for three years that kept you at home on FaceTime every weekend, then when y'all break up you realize that you haven't experienced a fraction of the things that most people your age have (no I'm not referring to one-night stands). Cuffing season is a season for a reason. Don't let anyone hold you back from living your life to the fullest.
College is going to be the best and worst time of your life. You are going to go through things that you never thought you would have to go through. You are going to do the things that you have always dreamed of doing. Never limit yourself because of fear. At the end of your four years (or more) as an undergrad, you want to be able to look back and be able to smile or laugh at your favorite memories. Don't take any second for granted because that one second is how fast college goes by. Honestly, I'm jealous. I wish I could turn back time and experience it all over again.
Sincerely,
An alumni
