Dear college student,

I know you're overwhelmed. I know you're stressed to the max, filled with worry - about yourself, your future, your friends, your major, literally anything - and low-key fighting that scab of homesickness in your chest. That's okay, though. We're all in this together, literally. *Cue the Wildcat students singing and dancing motivationally*

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12700353-me-an...

But let's get real... College is hard, like really hard. I'm not even going to try and lie to you.

Classes are long and taxing, homework assignments are headache-encoding, and the idea of being "on your own" is a bit overwhelming. Everything is constantly changing, regardless of how long you have been in college. There always seems to be something going wrong in one way or another. Assignments pile up and due dates karate kick you in the neck.

But I've said it before and I will say it again. It's okay.

College is not a trivial thing to take on. It is a feat, and you are a hero dutifully slaying the fierce dragon known as Collegeous.

You are a warrior readying yourself for battle, arming yourself with highlighters, sticky-notes, and planners.

You something phenomenal and awe-inspiring and fantastical, so don't give up hope. Make the most of the moments you have in college because - believe it or not - it will be over in the blink of an eye. You may be crying into your math book at two in the morning now, but give it some time, and you will conquer the world. And you'll do it without even realizing it.

Classes may be monotonous and you'll undoubtedly end up with professors as dead as Professor Bins...

I know all of you Harry Potter fans are out there looking at me like this because of that reference. But c'mon! It's totally accurate. https://popkey.co/m/bX4R1-professor-mcgonagall-smh...

and textbooks are scarily expensive, but all of these trials and tribulations will be worth it. You will grow so much during your time in college - professionally, emotionally, and socially. You will enter college with a head full of dreams, and you will leave with that and the connections, knowledge, and opportunity to act on those dreams.

You may feel like you're drowning now - and that is a scary thought because classes are just kicking off - but you will adjust and grow and make friends along the way - friends that will help you and grow alongside you. You will discover new things about the world around you and about yourself as a person. You will evolve into a newer, stronger version of yourself.

It's a fact, y'all! https://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/2j...

In the end, you will be so proud of how far you have come. In the end, all of this struggling, stressing, and (maybe) crying will all be worth it. You will view them as just speed bumps in the road of your life, and you will be thankful for every moment of it. So enjoy while it lasts. Reach out to others, introduce yourself to that cool guy/girl in class, and step out of your comfort zone (just stay safe!) Cherish these moments, because no matter how scary and overwhelming they are, you're not alone! I promise.

Love,

A fellow college student who loves you dearly and believes in you