To the Rising College Freshman,

I was in your shoes just months ago feeling both scared and excited to move away from home and go to college. Once I finally got to school, I could not believe that I made it after I worked so hard to get there. I was looking forward to studying something I was truly passionate about and making some lifelong memories. I had been told that the college years were going to be some of the best years of my life.

Now, as I sit here about to enter finals week at the end of my freshman year, I cannot believe how fast it all went by. Before, I was terrified to go to this new place with new people, but now, I’m terrified knowing that one of the best years of my life is already about to end. I honestly cannot believe I am a fourth of the way done. College has given me more opportunities than I ever could have dreamed of. The memories I’ve made here are ones I will never forget and I could not be more thankful for the experiences I’ve had. I never thought I would be sad to move back home. As excited as I am to see my family, it makes me so sad to move away from a place I love so much and can now call my home away from home.

I hope that you all go to schools you love and have the great experiences I’ve had. I hope you make lifelong friends and that you can look back on some truly amazing memories. I hope that you enjoy it despite the difficulty of the schoolwork. I hope that you end up where you truly belong.

If there is any advice I can give you, it is to embrace every second. Smile when you walk around campus and realize how lucky you are. Have an absolute blast every night you go out with your friends. Study hard. Enjoy the experience because you are about to have the time of your life.

You are about to enter the best years of your life, so live freely, love every moment, and enjoy the ride.