Dear Incoming Freshmen,

College is coming, and if you're fortunate enough, you're going to officially move into your top number one dream school by the end of August; if you're not that lucky, hey, you made it. That's all that matters, and honestly - the school you are going to instead is a school you've chosen. It may not be our dream school but you've picked it out of many others which means it has stood out to you - and you will find home there too. You will learn to love it as much as your dream school and you will enjoy your time there.

Hopefully.

As a recent freshmen just finishing her first year of college, I noticed many things. But first, let me tell you that freshman year is everything they said it will be. It will be fun, it will be crazy, it will be confusing, great, frustrating, a roller coaster - fast. Freshman year will go by very fast. You may reach post-Thanksgiving break mortem and look back on this article and think I was being crazy for saying that, but no. Freshman year will go by very fast. You will be moving in - from meeting new people to trudging through finals, enjoying winter break, hitting the second semester positively happy, and then - finals. Again. And once you know it, freshman year has ended and I will be here telling you, "I told you so."

So incoming freshmen, hold on tight to the first semester. Cherish the laughs and the parties and the fun, but don't sacrifice sleep and homework for late night bonfires and festivities too much. Learn from your first few nights of fluorescent lights and loud music and remember what you came there for. Or at least what you're getting into debt and/or losing money for - your education and your future.

Reach out to your professors, get friends that are smarter than you, go to tutoring even though you don't want to - but don't let yourself fall. Don't discourage yourself. Don't let yourself think you've fallen into a pit you can't get out of. Persevere and push through and make it work. Because incoming freshmen, falling behind will bite you where the sun don't shine and hold you back. Worst comes to worst, you may even drop out or change to a different major you aren't as passionate about and that will ruin you. Focus on why you're there, and while it doesn't hurt to enjoy the college life - just remember not to enjoy it too much and lose sight of your goal to graduate. You didn't suffer through SATs and high school for nothing.

Finally, my last words are to make sure you are passionate about your major because passion for it is what will ultimately push you through, begin networking (it will save you in the future), diversify your friends (hello, teachers - although some, I swear are really out to get you - most aren't), remember that gym membership (it can get real that Freshmen Fifteen), remember your roots, your goals, your reason for being there, and prioritize.

Good luck, friend.

PS. You can procrastinate on some things in life but you can't procrastinate for a majority of things in college unfortunately. Also, party and clock out sometimes, but only if you've worked to your best ability - because you will need it. Especially clocking out. College gets real tiring.