You’ve been admitted to colleges, and chosen the amazing Tarleton State University, probably still the best public university in the world (every ones else’s opinions doesn’t matter on that statement.) Starting in the next few days, you’ll meet your classmates, the best group of partners you can find anywhere. Starting a new chapter is a huge deal, especially when you’re three and a half hours away from your hometown. It’s going to be a shock to you, from having a structured wake up at 7:30 get dressed and head to school and stay there till 4 p.m. - to now waking up 10 minutes before your class still in your pajamas and having one to four hour gaps between classes. It’s rough. Now it’s time to give you some nifty advice from one student to another…

Throughout this year and your college career you will make an entire new group of friends at your new school. Sure, you will keep some of the same friends you had in high school, but go branch out. Don’t be scared about losing all of the friends you have now. If they are truly your friends then you will find a way to stay in touch through these next few years. So go join a club and be outgoing and make new friends. There will always be a spot that you fit in at college. You will always find a clique or a group of people that you never would have met if you hadn’t opened up and explored what’s out there. So go on an adventure! ALWAYS keep an open mind and be sure not to judge too quickly as you enter your new life in college. You’re about to meet new people from all walks of life and you have no clue what they’re coming from or how they were raised or what kind of life they’re leaving behind, so it is best to just keep an open mind and be welcoming to everybody that you meet those first few weeks at your new school. You never know, one of these new people could turn out to be a lifetime friend of yours in the future.

The dining hall really is not that bad; I promise. Sure you will get tired of eating at the same place all day every day, but fending for yourself the next year will be a whole lot scarier. Luckily for you there are many different options in the d-hall! My favorite was always the fries and their home made ranch. Ive worked in the dining hall on the weekends prepping the food for the week so I know for a fact that a huge majority of everything in that cafeteria is freshly prepped and not from a box or can. Its all fresh! So you aren’t getting your public school food from your high school days. If you're not feeling up for the dining hall, then there is a few more choices in the student center- Chic-fil-A, Sushi, and Mexican food. All are very delicious and made right there on the spot. (The Cali roll is to die for.)

As I was saying in the first paragraph, College will not be easy no matter where you go, so get ready for late nights studying in the library especially during finals week. Get a day planner and start writing down all your assignments and be prepared for what is about to come your way. Never procrastinate. Ever. Trust me on this and ALWAYS! ALWAYS! ALWAYS! Show up to class!

Even if you haven't figured major out right away, that's OK. Relax and take your basics and then add a couple of business classes, science classes, or whatever you think you might be interested in as a career then go from there. Luckily for you TSU is known for their Agriculture Sciences School and their Nursing school.

Go through recruitment even if you don't think you want to be in a sorority or a fraternity. Who knows maybe you might just surprise yourself and find your perfect home. Even if you don't you will meet dozens of people and make lots of new friends.

Please be courteous to the other students, and the traditions. We don’t want the great poo strike happen again! We all know the unspoken rules that are our traditions. Tarleton is very spirited and if you go against that then... You most likely aren’t going to have fun here. Honestly.

Now time to show your parent that you can be a responsible adult, keep your grades up, and join in as many activities you can! Lots of love. Now get to work- kick butt and take names! and have fun its time to get that degree!

Bleed Purple!