An Open Letter To The Scared Incoming Freshman

Being a college freshman can be one of the scariest times of your life. You are starting a new chapter, and in my case I moved out of my house after never being away from home for more than two weeks. At this point in the summer many of you are nervously anticipating this new part of your life. I was very excited, but at the same time I was very terrified. I spent my days worried about meeting my roommate, making sure I had everything ready for my move, and trying to soak up as much time as I could with my family and friends. I have compiled some advice from friends and myself, and they are all things that I wanted to know going into this new journey.

"I wish I had known not to be so afraid of change. Getting out of my small town where everyone thinks they know everything about you and coming some place new and starting over was the thing I needed. I met so many amazing people my first year at ETSU and I feel like I've grown so much in my relationship with Christ and I've grown so much as a person." This was from my friend Jordan. Growing up in a small town myself, I completely understand the need to get out of that comfort zone. Meeting new people was an incredible experience for me and it is something that I needed to do as well. So don't just accept that change, embrace it.

My friend Jessica, who attends Carson Newman, said, "I wish I would have known that it is OK to be uncertain. I came into college thinking I had everything figured out, but I soon realized I didn't at all. I changed a lot of my beliefs politically, I started thinking for myself for the first time in my life, and I changed my major because I finally went after what I wanted, not what everyone said I should do. I was confused in the process, but those moments of uncertainty drew me closer to God, and my faith only got stronger." I don't think there is any way I could agree with Jessica more. I picked a major because it would be easier to get a job, and it is what everyone in my community thought I would be good at. Halfway through my first semester I began doubting my choice, and then after Christmas I took a huge leap of faith and changed my major, and I am so much happier now than I was before.

I'm not going to lie and tell you this will be easy. Because the work is hard, and it will be a difficult transition, but you will get used to it. You may get to school and may think it will never get better, but it will. So don't be worried yet. Because it will work itself out in the end, and only time will tell what this amazing journey will hold for your life.