To my little sister,
I can’t believe you’re going to college. It’s hard to watch my little sister grow up and begin to take on the “real world,” but I couldn’t be more excited for you to start this amazing journey.
Whether you like it or not, freshman year will make you step out of your comfort zone. It will take you away from everything and everyone you’ve known for the past 18 years of your life, and force you to start all over. It won’t be easy at first, but it will definitely be worth it. You’ll experience new things, meet new people, and learn how to live on your own. It’s through these experiences that you discover who you are, and become who you want to be.
You’ll meet your best friends – people who will make you wonder how you ever lived without them in the first place. You’ll go through everything together, and this will bring you to be closer than you could ever imagine. Your best friends at school will be your family away from home, so never take them for granted.
You’ll also become an “official” college student. I know some mornings you may want to sleep in and not go to math class, but trust me - it’s not worth skipping. Do not take your responsibilities as a student lightly. After all, it’s the reason you’re even at college in the first place. The late nights at the library won’t get an easier, but coffee will start to taste better, and your GPA will reflect your hard work.
College isn’t all work and no play, though; it’s easy to get involved and try new things. Campus is practically a breeding ground for clubs and organizations tailored to your specific interests, so take advantage of them. You’ll meet people whom you have a lot in common with, and you’ll keep yourself busy.
You have endless opportunities at your fingertips your freshman year, so don’t let them slip away. Try everything, talk to everyone, and get involved. Don’t let these micro-moments get away from you, because you’ll never get them back. Before you know it, freshman year will be gone. You don’t want to look back and think about everything you “could have” done, so do it all. Make the most of every opportunity you are presented with, because it will shape you and your future more than you could ever imagine.
I know you’re nervous, but everyone else is too. Just know that you have no reason to be. You truly are in for the best four years of your entire life. Don’t ever forget that.
We may be 180 miles apart, but I’m always just a phone call away.
