Dear freshman. Welcome to college. I'm sure everything is very new to you and every aspect of your life is new and exciting but also a little nerve racking. You are meeting new people, making new friends, starting to see life a little differently than you probably ever have before. You're basically living with a stranger and eating food you might not even like that much. You're starting to get a feel for just how college works and you're finally becoming independent. I'm sure so many people have given you so many pieces of advice on how to act or how to work and study best. But here is just a little advice from someone who was just in your shoes two years ago.

First just be your self. Don't do anything that makes you feel really uncomfortable. Yes, try new things and get involved on your college campus but don't do something just because all of your new friends are doing it. Whatever you do be smart about it and make sure it is something you truly want to do.

Second the work load now is nothing like it will be soon. I remember my friend came up to me about five weeks into freshman year and said "man I'm a bio major and I thought this was going to be hard but I've had almost no work so far!" He did later come to regret this statement. The work load first semester is usually pretty light aside from one or two major papers and a group presentation. College professors understand that you are still in the process of making the change from high school to college and want to help you by not giving you an incredible amount of work. Just know that this will change soon enough and the work load and stress will come.

My third and final piece of advice is don't plan your life out. Let things happen and fall into place as they will. When I started college I thought I knew the girl I was going to marry and I thought I was going to be a bio major who became a athletic therapist. Before first semester freshman year was even over I wasn't even with that girl anymore and I was no longer a bio major and had no idea what I even wanted to major in.

Life is an adventure so just live it and know that everything happens for a reason. Work hard and have fun, make friends that will last a life time and remember you are not defined by your grades.

Best of luck!