To all college freshmen,

Every college student’s move in day of their freshman year is confusing, exciting, and holds expectations on how the year might unfold; it's not just you. But with all of these mixed feelings, know that so much is about to change. This doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Driving past the buildings as you pull up to your dorm, the realization that college is actually happening will sink in. You don’t really know what you’re getting yourself into.

You aren’t living with your parents anymore and this isn’t your hometown. These aren’t the people you went to high school with and this isn’t the same kind of environment. Ultimately, you are left on your own.

College is going to change you whether you want it to or not. You probably thought you knew yourself pretty well until suddenly you are making new discoveries about yourself almost everyday. A year will pass as move out day nears, and you’ll realize how much you’ve actually changed. This doesn’t mean you’re a different person; you’ve just experienced a lot of growth.

College brings challenges that push you to your full potential. The lessons you learn in a university aren’t just academic. Your ways of thinking will be expanded and your comfort zone will grow larger. It won’t be until you look back and notice that things you feel comfortable with now are things that seemed so difficult (maybe even impossible) only a year ago.

You will meet people that make you realize things about yourself. You’ll uncover quirks you didn’t realize you had. You will be braver than you thought you could be. All of your experiences will build you up into a person who’s more confident and self aware.

This is only the beginning of a major adventure. There’s going to be roadblocks and successes. One short year will fly by and teach you more than you could ever learn in high school. Keep on going and enjoy every bit of it.

It's going to be a great year if you let it.