Dear College Freshmen Everywhere,

Sometime within the next week or so, you will begin the best four years of your life. I feel absolutely confident saying that these four years WILL be the best four years of your life, but only if you let them. Three days from now, I will be beginning my senior and final year of college, while you all are just beginning. I have felt everything from stress to happiness, to sadness and anxiety, to anticipation and joy at the thought of returning to my home away from home for the final time. See, college is a once in a lifetime experience and it's crazy to me to think that I'm already almost done. But, since you're just starting out, I'll give you my top three tips for the next four years of your life.

First and foremost, experience everything and close your mind off to nothing. I think the beauty of college lies in the fact that for most people, you are moving to a new place, with people you've never met before, who know nothing about you! This gives you a chance to completely reinvent yourself and cast off whatever mold you were put into in high school, if you choose to do so. No matter where you choose to pursue your post-secondary education, there is sure to be a multitude of clubs, organizations, intramural sports, and just fun things to do! Get out there. Experience everything. Don't just sit in your dorm room and wait for life to come to you, that is simply a waste of the precious time you've been given.

Never settle. I think this phrase can apply to anybody in any phase of their life, but especially to you, college freshmen. During your four years at your institution, never settle for anything less than what you deserve. Don't settle for a major you hate, don't settle for a boyfriend that doesn't treat you like a queen, don't settle for playing for a team that you don't love anymore, don't settle with only being friends with the people on your freshmen dorm floor. During the next four years, you will be faced with many adult decisions and situations that will test your strength and resilience. When you find yourselves in these situations, I encourage you to remember to never settle. College is too short (and expensive) to do anything less than what you want.

Finally, take risks. Life within your comfort zone is frankly pretty boring. Like I mentioned before, this is the time to be a little gutsy and do things that you've never done before. Looking back on my time at my school, I can think of plenty of times where I stayed inside of my comfort zone because I was just a little too scared. Now, I wish I hadn't. That is why I encourage each and every one of you to go out and take the risks that I didn't. If you passion is drama, go out and join that club, regardless of what your friends may think. You have an 8 a.m. tomorrow? Eh, go out and drink that extra drink with your friends. You can survive a headache in class for memories that will last a lifetime. Worried about who will judge you if you get three different plates at commons? Who cares? This is the one time in your life you will never be judged for stress-eating. You want to rush a sorority but are scared of what the stigmas and rumors say? Do it anyways! Some of my best friends are in sororities and they are the sweetest girls you'll ever meet. Risks can be found in all shapes and sizes at college and if you don't take them, you will absolutely regret it.

So there ya have it, freshies. A few words of advice from a veteran college student. These next four years are going to be crazy, fun, stressful, coffee-fueled, challenging, joyful, and exciting, but enjoy them while you have them because before you know it, it'll all be over.

Sincerely,

One Happy College Senior