Welcome Class of 2020!
Let me congratulate you on graduating from high school and taking the next huge step in life and going to college. Freshman year is a year full of fun and work. You get to experience parties, football games and of course the dreaded homework. Freshman year is the hardest year of college not because of the work but because you have to start over. You are coming to a school that is 1000 times bigger than your high school, you don’t know a lot of people and it’s a completely new environment. I’m here to tell you that it's fine to be nervous. I was nervous my freshman year and I finished with ease. Freshman year is a great year because you not only are becoming an adult but you are having fun and making memories. One of my favorite memories of freshman year was after Alabama beat the number one team in the country. After the game ended, my friends and I stood on the porch of my dorm and just yelled our cheers and fight songs while numerous fans walked by and joined in. This was my favorite memory because I realized that I had found the college for me. Freshman year was full of opportunities, new friends and great experiences. In my freshman year I rushed a fraternity, made lots of friends and have countless memories such as the time I got to go to the rifle range and shoot with my best friends. Those are the memories that college is all about.
There will be times during freshman year where you are nervous and that is okay. Everyone has been nervous during freshman year and you are not alone. There are so many people who are in the same situation as you. The first few weeks I was overwhelmed and I wondered if I chose the right school. Ultimately I realized I did. My advice to you is to make the most of your freshman year. Have fun, but work hard. Work hard early in the day and afternoon so you can play hard and relax in the evenings. Academics are important and it is crucial that you find the balance between school and fun. If you focus on one more than the other, you wont be successful.
You are taking the next step and it is time to be an adult. However, that does not mean you need to be serious and have no fun in college. I want you to have the best time and to make fantastic memories. Always remember you need to be responsible but it is ok to mess up. You are human and it is all normal to mess up college.
My last piece of advice is to visit your professors. There are hundreds of people in your class and if you meet them then you’ll stand out. That could ultimately be the difference between an A- and an A+.
Have a great time in college and remember make the most of these four years.
Sincerely,
An experienced college student
