Dear my freshman self,

As of today, you have moved into a new place for the first time. I know it seems exciting and scary at the same time. Classes are starting soon and you are learning to start over for the first time. It’s crazy that you have finally gotten to this point in your life because I know there was a point where you never thought you would make it here. Now that you have finally made it, there are a few things I need you to know:

It’s okay to be nervous. You have never done anything like this before and you have no idea as to what to expect. It’s okay to be uncomfortable in your new situation. You now have to share your room with someone you have never met before, and you're expected to get along with this person. You aren’t going to know anyone for the first time ever. At this point in your life, you've forgotten how to make friends. Try being goofy and be spontaneous, because either way you are going to be uncomfortable. You may as well try to have fun.

It's okay that you won't be everyone's friend. You may not get along with the people on your floor (actually, you may hate some of them), but for the most part your dorm is only for sleeping. Do other things to pass the time. Join some clubs and go to events on campus; that is where you will find your true friends.

It’s okay to let go. At the end of high school, you may start finding that the people you thought were important to you all of a sudden aren’t anymore. Don’t try to hold onto someone that doesn’t deserve it. It will only cause you more pain. On the other hand, for those in high school that still want to be around you, make sure you treat them right so they keep wanting to come back. Some of your friends from high school prove to be incredibly important to you at your worst times.

It’s okay to miss home and go back to visit maybe too frequently. Your family and friends miss you just as much as you miss them. If you have the time and the means to get home go ahead and do it, but don’t become one of those people who spends more time at home than at school; then you won’t truly have a “college experience”. So, call home when you can and when you are home visiting or on vacation don’t take it for granted, because sometimes you just can’t get that time back.

It’s okay to screw up. That’s why you are in school: to learn and make mistakes. Try not to miss or skip classes, but if you sleep through your alarm once or twice don’t beat yourself up too badly. If you don’t do as well on an exam as you wanted to, get help and ask questions. Stay after class for help if you have the time and show the professor you care. If you make a mistake or say the wrong thing, you can always bounce back as long as you want to fix it.

It’s okay to show people the real you. Don’t let fear turn you into a person you don’t want to be. Don’t allow people to change you, but also don’t be afraid to change as long as it’s on your own terms. Your opinions or beliefs may change in school and your style or lack thereof may also do some slight changes. Your music taste or your friend group may change. As long as you don’t allow your heart to change for the worse, you can change as much as you are comfortable with. It’s also okay to stay the same, because you are great as you are now.

Take this year as a new opportunity to make yourself even better than you already are. Don’t forget to express your love and gratitude to those who mean the most to you, and try to avoid the inevitable “Freshman 15”.

Sincerely,

Someone who wishes I had this letter last year