As I move out of my dorm and say my heart-wrenching goodbyes it amazes me how hard it is to leave a place I didn’t even want to be at in the first place, and how much has changed in a year. I remember the many arguments, I mean discussions, with my parents about financial aid, proximity to home and the overall academic rigor of my colleges of choice. Maybe you’re experiencing the same thing. To be honest, I moved to Tennessee my sophomore year of high school and when I graduated there was nothing more I wanted than to move back to my home state of Colorado or really anywhere other than Tennessee. However, life had other plans for me and in the fall I became a Tennessee Volunteer. Now I know you’ve probably heard this advice more than once and to you it’s just another cheesy bumper sticker, but college is going to be what you make of it, and despite the location or if it’s your top pick I want to promise you that if you put yourself out there you will meet some amazing people.
1. You’ll meet your new family
Go sit in the lobby, prop your door open, and say hi because here’s the catch: no one knows anyone. You have a clean slate. I know at first living with tons of diverse people on a floor will be intimidating, but before you know it the buzz of the lobby will turn into a welcoming home that you will take for granted. You’ll take for granted being able to come back from work and immediately join High School Musical movie marathons in the lobby, always having a friend to talk to, and of course a whole floor of people who have your back. You’ll miss the constant "hello’s," "how’s your day going," and "are you done with classes today?" I know at first ALWAYS having people around will make your introverted alter ego want to hermit in your room, but don’t. These people might drive you a little crazy from time to time, but I think that’s just proof that they’re family after all.
2. You’ll meet your required friends, though they like to call themselves "mentors"
These are the people who will be your Orientation Leaders, your Team Leaders from any overnight or retreat you attend, your Bigs, your RA. Basically any upperclassmen you come into contact with. Use them! They actually care, and will help you navigate the campus that you may not have warmed up to yet, but will. They’ll show you how the small vocal gesture of “how’s your semester going” can go a long way.
3. You’ll meet some crazy people; crazy enough to stand with you at your future wedding
You never know when you’ll meet them. You may be forced together because they’re your roommate/ suitemates and you live with them, or they're a new bright face in your orientation group. It might not be by chance but by choice because you decided to join a campus ministry. Maybe they’re someone you graduated from high school with, but never really knew. It may even be the girl from the room above you who you swear is having a step contest. My point, your college might be small and have less than 5,000 students, or in my case big and have 28,000 students. Regardless, at least one of these crazy people will take the honorary title of calling you their friend.
4. You’ll meet yourself
You may think I’m stating the obvious, but as a rising freshman I don’t think you understand the shock you’re in for. There will be a lot of tears. You’ll cry when you finally figure out what the word finals means. You’ll cry when you miss your hometown family and friends. Stress will take on a whole new meaning, and suddenly the term adult is not a noun, but a verb. There will be hard moments; however, you’ll surprise yourself, and grow. Don’t forget to meet the person who you’re becoming.
Now, this news applies to all rising freshmen, but you need to hear it the most. I know you feel like because you’re not going to the college of your choice your college experience has been entirely jeopardized, game over. I understand. I was there too, but please don’t think that. College is about the experience, and I promise you when you look back after your first year you will be happy to call this place your home. Because what makes a house a home is not the location, but the people you share it with.
