Dear new college freshman,

You're about to enter the best years of your life, so enjoy it and take in as much as you can from this new chapter you're about to enter.

I'm not going to lie to you and tell you things will be easy and that every day you'll wake up and go to sleep with a smile on your face because that won't be true. Some days will be harder than most, and you'll have to get yourself together, but that's life, and you'll be okay because college is scary for everyone in some way so trust me you won't be alone even if you feel like you are.

With that being said, make friends, I can't stress this enough some of the most important people you'll have in your life will be them. They will be your family away from home, and you'll find yourself forming new traditions with them and step out of your concert zone. Not everyone you meet will be great friends with you and some friends you meet you'll end up outgrowing, and that is okay.

This is the time where you'll finally get a taste of freedom and trust me it's amazing. Learn how to manage your time wisely and how to separate fun from work. After all, you are going to school so don't make all that money you're spending on your education go down the drain. Make sure you make some time to get your school work done and don't skip too much class. Trust me you will skip class, but try not to make it a habit as it's only going to hurt you because it will hurt you in the long run.

Get your money's worth and participate in activities around campus. Join clubs that you find interesting. And if they don't have the club you want, start one up. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and do the things you've always wanted to do. Use your time in college to find yourself and create someone you're proud of being.

Some of you might go to college already knowing what you want to do for the rest of your lives, and some of you might not be so sure, and that's okay. Plans will change, and some things will become clearer than others, that doesn't mean you did anything wrong; sometimes things happen for a reason and in the long run, you might even be better off because of it.

Enjoy college, embrace the change and don't knock things till you try them. Do things with a positive attitude and don't get wrapped up being someone you're not. Find yourself and your place in this world. It's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. You will get out of college what you put into it, so keep your head up high and don't give up when things get hard.

P.S.-- Don't forget to call your parents!