Dear College Freshman,

You have had quite a unique childhood; born after 9/11 and graduated during a pandemic.

You missed out on your final semester and did not get to experience a lot of senior moments you were looking forward to. I am certain that you did not imagine sitting six feet apart from classmates with masks on before accepting your diploma.

You probably thought this pandemic would run it's course before you started college. Instead, you have most classes online, you may be struggling to meet people, and you probably feel discouraged and alone.

This is a hard time, but you are not suffering alone, which is a little comforting to me, at least. Everyone has had something get postponed, altered, or cancelled due to Coronavirus. Everyone could use a friend right now.

Just know that you are going to grow from this. Once this is under control, we are gonna appreciate the little things so much more, and those first experiences will feel incredible. Your first college football game as a student will feel like the Super Bowl, your first sorority formal will feel like a gala, and your first college spring break will be your favorite vacation ever.

The firsts will come eventually, maybe not now, but soon.

Sweet freshman, we love you, we see you, we mourn and celebrate with you.

We have the utmost respect for you.

Class of 2024, you are a force to be reckoned with. You are stronger than the rest of us.

Love,

A Proud Sophomore