I’m sure as you reflect on your senior year of high school, you realize that what everybody said all along, was correct. Senior year really did fly by, just like every other year, maybe even more being your last year of high school, and you are now counting down the days of summer until you begin your first day in the big leagues of college.
Preparing for graduation, ordering your cap and gown, decorating your cap with the college you’re excited to represent, receiving countless letters, gifts and money from your relatives, planning your graduation party, and much more. Graduation will only truly affect you when it’s all over in a week or two, and you realize the impact of closing such a huge chapter of your life.
The last day of high school has arrived, and you cannot wait to get out. Ecstatic that you have made it through what you thought were the hardest years of school (just wait until college). You leave your high school with a smile on your face, driving out of the parking lot blasting music with your friends, the parking lot that will soon be filled by next years’ seniors, the ones that you were competitive with, just hours ago, believing you had authority because they were only juniors. Before you know it, you will be at the bottom of the food chain, a freshman, yet again.
Then the day comes, the one you have been waiting for, the day you longed for, while seeing upperclassmen friends and siblings graduate. And now, it is your time. The time has finally come. Relatives piling in your house, your parents running around like crazy to prepare, and you, nervous but excited that the day is somehow here. As you drive to graduation, and join your senior class in a giant room before walking the stage, you will be amazed at the happy and anxious energy filling the room. You will take pictures, give hundreds of hugs, all while not truly realizing how big of an accomplishment this is, until you make that grand entrance, smile big, and earn your diploma. Interrupting your sappy memory and deep thoughts, you will be told to scurry to your place in line, take a few deep breaths, and prepare for what will be the most exhilarating walk you’ve taken.
Sweaty hands but big smile, your time is up. Your name is called, despite your family members and friends cheering you on as loud as possible from the stands, you will not hear them. You will get tunnel vision and blur everything out around you, as you are focused on walking confidentially to that long awaited and well deserved piece of paper, that signifies a massive accomplishment. You clasp the diploma, smile, take that graduation picture with your superintendent, and walk to your seat. As you sit down, you will begin to realize, that you did it. It is time to throw your cap high to the sky, and rejoice, because you graduated. Walking out of the arena, is the greatest most accomplished feeling ever.
Family and relatives flood the exit of the arena, rushing to greet you with flowers and so many camera flashes you will temporarily go blind, but enjoy every second of it, because this is a happy time for you and everyone who loves you.
Graduation parties are the only plans on your agenda for the next two weeks. You will eat your weight in yummy catered food and treats, and will take more pictures than you took with your family. You will hear and say congratulations more times than you can count. Now that graduation party season has come to an end, summertime has just begun.
Summer is hot, fun and full of care free adventure. You begin packing for college, contacting your future roommate, and preparing for your first year. My biggest advice for you this summer, is to appreciate the home cooked meals your mom makes, and work out as hard as possible. Because dorm food is, well... repulsive, and the freshman 15 is real; unfortunately for some of us -- freshman 20. I know far too well.
The night before college begins, you toss and turn, restlessly thinking about the life ahead of you, and the uncertainty of the whole new world that awaits. You wonder about homework, if you will get good grades, or if it’ll be too difficult and you’ll flunk. You will imagine Project X like parties, the crazy hook up culture you see on movies, the people you'll meet, the places you'll go, and the experiences you will have. You will question whether or not you and your roommate will get along, and if you will be able to do your laundry with out turning all of your whites to colors. You will get excited imagining how you’re going to decorate your dorm room, the sorority or fraternity you may rush, the club you’ll join, or the sport you’ll play. You will even evilly smile at the thought of leaving your parents, being free to do what you want, no rules to abide by, or curfew to follow. The list goes on... But don’t think about it too much, because I can assure you, college will be different than anything you had imagined.
Finally, it’s move in day, you and your parents will get the workout of a lifetime, moving boxes in and out, up several flights of stairs, back and forth from your car which seems miles away, to the tiny hallway your dorm room is in. You will get your key from the front desk, and open the door to what is going to be your home for the next year. You may be startled, but try not to freak out. The rooms are at least half the size of your current room now. Panic is a normal feeling, wondering how you will ever fit your stuff, and survive somewhere so small. Three feet from your roommates bed, stuffed in to what feels like a closet, for nine months.
Fitting all of your belongings in to a tiny space, is like trying to solve a puzzle. It will seem unachievable in the moment, but the pieces will fit together eventually, relieving your worries. You will begin to cover the walls with pictures and posters, and decorative items that will warm up the room, almost as much as the memories to come that will shortly make this place feel like home. You pick your side of the room, then turn around to see your roommate who seems like an alien, standing there with his/her family. You will awkwardly greet each other, your parents shake hands, and you will put on an unsure, but excited and brave face. Despite what it may feel like in the moment, it’s not all stressful and foreign. This is an awesome time, and while being one of the most nerve racking times, it will be exciting and something you have never experienced. You will be thrilled to start a new life. Always remind yourself, adjusting to something new is never easy, not at first, but in a few short weeks, it begins to feel normal.
After a hard day’s work, and hours of various emotions and sore muscles, you finally settle in. Your sweaty parents give you a hug, tell you they love you, and shed some tears. As they leave the room, your mom will try to tell you about 200 things in under 30 seconds, and your dad will tell her to trust that you have things under control, and not to worry. The door shuts, and there you are. The first day of your college career, slightly confused, but eager to see what is in store.
New student activities that you think are dumb, and might feel like a kids camp, will control your life for the weekend. But they will foreshadow the amazing school and sporting events you will be attending shortly. The giant pep rallies and games with thousands of students, amped and showing crazy school spirit. If you feel out of place or shy, it is important to remember that everybody is in the same position. Be happy and confident and enjoy your first weekend.
Before you know it, you will begin classes. College classes are unlike any nearly laughable high school classes you took your senior year. Especially if you're in a lecture hall, with hundreds of students, viewing your professor as if he/she is an ant 50 rows down from where you're sitting. Kind of like being expected to live in a shoe box of a dorm room, you will panic a little. College education is challenging. Try to stay calm, pay attention, put your phone away, take speedy notes, and stay on top of things. Do not procrastinate. If you try your hardest, you will get the hang of it and learn lots of valuable information for your major, and life. It will take practice and persistent study habits to master the art of being a college student, but it somehow works out. Study hard for your exams, buy thousands of flash cards, attend office hours, and fake it till you make it. Subpar grades are expected freshman year, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you don't do as well as you may have expected.
Dorm food, one of the least glorious things about college. The food will most likely be the reason you gain the freshman 15. It happens to almost everyone, unless you're a lucky one. I recommend working out a few times a week, and making healthy choices as much as possible. Don't be surprised when you go home for break and the scale says you're 10 pounds heavier, it's normal, and you will drop the weight.
Despite the adjustments of dorm life, food, and school, there are many more positive experiences you will gain from your first year in college. Attending a university with thousands of students, places you in a highly socialized area, where you will meet all types of people, and make many great friends. Getting involved in clubs and activities, or leadership positions, is a great way to meet people, and find your place on campus. You will be exposed to varying religious and political beliefs.You will experience many different cultures and people. You will observe all walks of life, and make great friends. College creates a great environment for socialization. Step out of your comfort zone, reach out to people, introduce yourself and you will be surprised what great friendships and ties that can lead to.
College parties are something many people have fantasized about, and are eager to experience. College parties range from pre games and kick backs, to overcrowded, hot and sweaty themed parties. You will experience many things at parties, especially people not being able to handle their alcohol. The music is loud, people are wild and you will hear countless chants dissing your rival school as people become increasingly rowdy. You'll dance, mix and mingle, and experience why everyone loves college. Socialize, meet people, dance, and enjoy every second of your weekends out. Party hard because classes start again on Monday, which means you wont get to have that much fun until the next weekend.
Going to college means many things. Freedom and individual growth. It means friendship, memories, love, experimenting, a whole new world of people, lifestyles changes, maturing, and becoming that self sufficient student your parents wished you would be in high school. Leaving your parents and beloved pets, and the familiar and safe bubble you grew up in. Your once most familiar home with your family, will soon be behind you as you begin your new and thrilling journey at your university. You will gain hundreds of experiences, you will begin to discover yourself, find true friends, learn life lessons and more. College is a huge milestone in your life. College could even provide you a new outlook on life, and a more positive mindset. College challenges you in many ways and contributes to your growth as a person. Make smart decisions, be safe, work hard and you will have the time of your life.
Every person has a different college experience. Truly appreciating every moment, and enjoying your first year, is so important. As I sit here writing this piece, reflecting on my first year wishing I could have slowed it down, my advice to you is to take it all in because your freshman year of college only happens once, and goes faster than any other school year. After your freshman year, you will be a quarter done with college, and already on your way to graduation. Appreciate the little things, spend time with your friends, and don't miss out on any opportunities. College is a short four years, and that is why it is crucial to appreciate every second of it.
Becoming a better person in college, finding yourself, maturing and growing apart from the old friends you had back home. Over the course of your freshman year you will notice a change in yourself, and you should be proud. You will make hundreds of memories, push yourself to step out of your comfort zone, prove to yourself that you are ready to survive the big leagues, and much much more. Many amazing things happen in college, as well as not so great things. However, no matter what your experiences and memories, they're all apart of the first chapter in your story called college. People have the time of their lives in college, as you will too. Prepare for the adventure, the memories, the laughter and the tears, prepare for the ups and downs, the late nights studying, or the late night pizza runs to absorb all the shots you took. Prepare for the unexpected, and the exciting, because it all contributes to your freshman year.
Life unfortunately moves way too fast, just like your high school experience did. So please, hold on tight, cause the roller coaster of college will have you questioning whether or not someone had a remote and fast forwarded it all. While writing this, I am in disbelief that I am already a quarter of the way through college, and after next year, I will be halfway done. It really does feel like the blink of an eye, so appreciate everything.
College will be the best four years of your life, as I’m sure you’ve heard your parents say as they relive their glory days. But truly, have fun. You are in for a treat, a wild ride, and before you know it, you will be in my position. In awe of how fast your first year flew by, giving advice to the next incoming freshman, looking forward to your sophomore year and heading back to the best place on Earth.
And good news! After this year, you won’t be at the bottom of the food chain ever again. Instead, thrilled to go back to the university you were once afraid of, that you will shortly call home, and love so dearly.
Good luck, seniors -- a.k.a. incoming freshman.
