To the freshmen starting their first year of college: don't blink. This wonderful experience will be over before you know it. If your parents want to help you set up your room, let them. If your mom wants to make your bed and fuss over your closet, let her. If your dad wants to "embarrass" you and introduce himself to everyone, let him. They're starting a new chapter in their lives, too. and while you're crying in your room because — holy crap I'm in college what am I going to do — chances are they're sitting in the car in the parking lot crying too because "Oh my God, my baby's in college and what if they don't like it or don't get along with people."
You may like your roommate or you won't and that's OK. I got lucky, I had some of the best roommates possible my freshman year, minus one. You're gonna have good days and bad. You're gonna break down crying and feel like you can't do anything. You are going to be completely lost and confused some of the time. You are going to walk into wrong classrooms. You're going to walk all the way to class only to find out the professor canceled. You are going to meet some of the best people and some of the worst. You are going to have classes you love and classes that you absolutely can't stand. You are going to find a profession that you absolutely love and my advice is that you take it and run with it.
You are going to see some crazy things. You will see all sorts of hair colors and many different kinds of people. You will be wonderfully overwhelmed. You'll oversleep and you need to understand that it's not the end of the world.
Set your alarm and drink plenty of water. Take time to eat, trust me, your body will thank you for it. Coffee will be your best friend. Don't forget where you come from. Let your family fawn over you when you come home for the weekend. Your pets are going to miss you, so show them extra love when you come home. If you need a break from homework, take it because your mental health will depend on it. College is a wonderfully scary experience, but it will help you find yourself. My only advice is that you let it.
