Going into college I thought I was completely prepared. I went to an excellent college preparatory high school, took AP classes, played tennis and never really struggled with grades or time management. Wow, was college a slap in the face. That first day of freshman orientation I showed up to a new school where I knew absolutely no one, in a city I had visited twice and moved into a dorm room with a complete stranger. I certainly was not prepared for attending a highly respected liberal arts college. I wish I would have had someone who would've told me something other than "dude, it's the best four years of your life." Don't get me wrong, college rocks. But there is so much more. So this is me, talking to all of you newbie freshies out there, you definitely don't have to take my advice but I wish I hadn't had to find all these things out by myself. These are the three most important things I learned from my freshman year.

1. Learn how to study and get good grades the college way.

This was such a difficult thing for me. First off, be prepared to write more papers than you thought you would. I probably averaged two to three a week, more or less. I spent the beginning semester of my freshman year wondering why the heck I could not score above a "C" on a paper. I'll keep it short for you: figure out what each professor wants to read, and then write about it in the way they wanna read it. In the end it doesn't really matter what you want to write about if you want to get best grades. Also, for tests and quizzes, figure out the best way for you to study, and don't worry about how other people are doing it. Work smarter and shorter, not harder and longer, do this by not wasting your time on your phone or computer when you should be studying. Start studying, finish studying and get some rest before your tests, you will need it. But never forget this: your GPA does not define you. Some classes and colleges are more difficult than others, and your future employers will know that.

2. Go out of your way to make friends.

Now is the time to be bold, seize the moment and have some guts. Walk up to people and engage them. Find people who are exactly like you, completely opposite of you or share some from both categories. These are the people who could possibly help you survive for the next four years. My best piece of advice in this category is this: make friends with different groups of people because you never know when people will fail you or go behind your back. Your true friends will stick through with you until the end. Don't be afraid to date that boy or girl from your freshman orientation group, they just might be a keeper "#shoutoutchancellor."

3. Be your absolute truest self.

There's no need to hold back anymore. You get to be whoever you want to be now and you get to decide that all by yourself. Be whoever you want to be and be the best version of that person possible. There is no reason to fake who you are or what you believe in. Your friends should love and accept you no matter what, and if they don't it may be time to find some new ones. This is the time you can try basically anything you want. Varsity or club sports, yoga, student government, Greek life, FCA; they're all options and they are all groups ready and excited to add new members! Try one, try them all! It's up to you now because you have the freedom to do almost anything. Don't hold yourself back or let anyone else. This is your time to shine.

I hope these suggestions help you and anyone in any future endeavors they have. I'm so glad I was able to learn and better prepare myself for this upcoming year. Have a blast of a life and don't let anything stop you.

XOXO