Dear College Freshmen,

Congratulations! You’ve finally graduated high school and are on to bigger and better things. For some this means a job, while for others it means college. You may feel like you’re just starting over again with another year of high school, but life in college is really different. I’m not here to tell you what to do, but only to share what I have done and what I would do differently if I had the chance.

You will bring too much stuff. Think about it: you have probably lived in the same place, maybe in a house, for the first eighteen years of your life. You own a lot of things that have sentimental value, but you really don’t need it all. Same goes for clothing – if you never wear it, leave it behind.

You will actually experience the weather. Especially on large campuses, you may find yourself walking for long periods of time in pouring rain or blazing heat. Check the weather carefully before you dress for the day. It’s worth it to invest in proper clothing and footwear for the climate. (I can’t tell you how many people I have seen in a winter rainstorm wearing flip-flops and no coat.)

Place function over fashion – literally no one cares how you look. Most of us claimed we didn’t care how we looked in high school, but secretly, we all did. In college, people could care less what brands of clothing you wear, so choose things that make you feel and look good. Especially with your shoes, choose something sturdy that will get you to class.

You might have to learn to make friends. You may have had the same friends in high school for a few years and never really had to make an effort to get to know new people. I try to make sure I introduce myself to at least one person in each of my classes each quarter. I also figure out a way I can contact them (phone, Facebook, email). That way you have someone to contact if you have a question for class or if you miss a day. As an added bonus, you may have just found a new friend.

Your professors may not care about you. This was true in high school for some teachers, but it becomes even more normal in college. Especially at a large university, professors are incredibly busy and are more devoted to their subject than their students. This is just a reality that you have to get used to. However, the professors who truly care about their students are like diamonds in the rough. Seek out those professors and take their classes, regardless of the subject.

Even though it’s awkward, talk to your professors. Once I got to college, it took me awhile to get used to the fact that the professor had no idea who I was. I felt awkward talking to them and going to office hours, but it’s truly worth it to put yourself out there. If you get in a tight spot in their class, they may be kinder to you just because they know who you are.

Every late night is worth it (within reason). Getting a good night’s sleep before an exam is scientifically proven to improve student performance (taking a test on no sleep is equivalent to taking the test drunk. Don’t take tests drunk). The best memories I have made in college have been game nights and long talks with my friends. However, this could mean I have to stay up later at night to finish up my homework. I might be more tired the next day, but creating those memories have always been worth it.

College is going to change you. There is no way that a young person could experience the stress, joys, sorrows and adventures of college without it transforming their character. You will discover what you truly value in life, as well as the people you hold most dear. You’re going to learn so much, not only academically, but about yourself and the world around you.

College is short, so enjoy the ride. As you first set foot on the campus, your four years at university may loom before you like an ominous mountain. You worry about how you will get along with your roommate, what the food is really like and how hard your classes will be. Just like high school, you will soon be standing on the other side of your college years, ready to embrace the new challenges and adventures of your life ahead.

 

Sincerely,

A college senior (how did that happen?)