Dear Freshman,

I know you may be scared, but don’t you know this is just the beginning? The nervousness you feel now will fade, but the memories and relationships you form here will last forever.

It may be difficult to move away from your home, family, and friends. I’m not going to lie - those feelings of homesickness won’t go away over night. Eventually, they will fade. They’ll become small and pale in comparison to all the things that you are yet to experience.

Don’t worry about being lonely. You may not realize it now, but making friends will be quite easy here. These friendships are the ones that will follow through your four years, but also even after you leave college and into the rest of your life. All you have to do is try. Talk to the girl who lives across the hall or the boy who sits beside you in class. All it takes is a few kind words for a relationship to grow.

Don’t be nervous about your new professors. They may seem tough now, but they’re going to push you to become your best. They’ll be there for you every step of the way, supporting you in your academic life as well as your intellectual and social ones. They want to help you and give you advice. All you have to do is ask. So stop by their offices and pop your head in to say hello. You’ll be glad you did. These relationships will prove to be invaluable during your time here.

The campus may seem hard to figure out, but soon you’ll be traversing over it like a pro. Your friend can’t find her class? No big deal, you can help her find it. Through these hills, walkways, and classrooms, your feet will leave behind thousands of footprints. Your mind will grow, you’ll be able to reason and think in ways that you’d never considered before. All you have to do is open yourself up to your new surroundings. Take them in and enjoy them.

Don’t be afraid to get involved. Join the club, play on the intermural team, go to the party. These four years are going to be the best ones of your life. Don’t let them pass you by without doing the things that you enjoy.

Don’t forget about your schoolwork, though. That is the reason you’re here, after all. Oh, and ALWAYS do the reading. It’ll help you in the long run.

You are about to start a journey that will lead you to your future. You will grow so much during your time here, as will your friendships and fond memories. Take advantage of all the opportunities that you are being given here.

Welcome to college. Welcome to the best times you’ll ever have. Welcome to the first step on the journey to the rest of your life.