Dear Incoming Freshmen,

Welcome to the next big step in your life. Things are going to be very different from now on. Like, really different. It’s nothing like high school in the respects that everything is given to you on a silver platter and everything is certain and guaranteed. In college no one is going to be there to hold your hand and walk you through things anymore. I know that’s what people have been telling you all throughout your previous schooling years, especially before high school, and then they still continue to guide you through everything anyway, but this is seriously how it’s going to be now. Nothing is handed to you and for the most part you’re on your own. Now you may have some help from time to time from your parents, but for the most part it’s all you.

Now, I don’t want you to go thinking that everything from now on is just going to be awful. There are a lot of upsides to being in college, like real freedom. Seriously, you have like 50,000 cubic tons of freedom. You can pick your own classes and you can decide if you want to go to them (even though I advise you go to them). The choice to eat whatever you want whenever you want (for the most part) and the option to stay out how long you want when you want is definitely a plus. No one is telling you what to wear or how to color your hair. Here in college, honestly, no one really cares. However, with anything nice like that, there are, unfortunately, drawbacks.

I’ll tell you this now: no matter how much fun you’re having, don’t let it interfere with your grades. If you mess up in one class, your whole GPA could suffer, and it’s so hard to get it back up. The grades you earn your first year in college could make or break you in a sense. Some people may want to get into a specific academic program or go to a specific grad school, and usually those require a certain minimum GPA. So if you’re one of those people, take it seriously--even if you don’t have the slightest idea as to what you want to do with the rest of your life. Trust me.

Another thing that a lot of freshmen trip themselves up on is studying too hard and too long. Yes, college is important and, yes, your grades are key, but you can’t dedicate your entire life to your studies. After a few hours of looking at a book, words start running together and stop making sense. This is when you know you’re in over your head. You need to be able to get out, get some fresh air and meet new people. A little social interaction goes a long way.

When you’re not hitting the books, you may want to go and check out and maybe join some clubs or join a fraternity or a sorority. There are all kinds of things happening on campus, and truly quiet nights are very rare. Taking part in an organization on campus can help you make new friends and gain new connections, which, I will tell you right now, is really nice to have. Being active also helps you to learn new and important skills and, let's not forget, it looks really good when you’re applying for jobs. So get out there and get involved!

Here's a big thing that every new freshman thinks they'll avoid: not having money. Just a heads up, you're going to be broke. There is no if to it, you will be broke. So many first-year college students have had the notion in their heads that they will have money throughout the school year, myself included. But that is just a lie your mind fabricates for you. There will be nights when you want to go out to do something fun, but you don't have a positive balance in your 'Fun Stuff' fund. There will be times when you'll have a Pop-Tart for every meal or even Ramen every night for two months. You learn that 'just water' is fine, even when deep down inside you know it's not. The words 'sale' and 'clearance' become a real treat when you somehow accumulate enough to go out shopping. Even if you have a job, somehow you always end up with $3 to your name.

With all of that said, I hope that you all are planning accordingly and are looking forward to starting your college years. These are the years that you learn the most about yourself and find your true niche in the world. Yeah, some things may suck, but for the most part it’s a pretty enjoyable experience. So enjoy these years while you can because they’ll be gone before you know it.

Sincerely,

Some College Kid

P.S. For those who want to know what it’s like and want to know what to expect when you get here, watch any movie that has anything to do with a college. That’s basically what you’re going to be walking into. The college stereotype is actually pretty accurate. There really are people playing Frisbee on the quad, and from time to time there really is a guy who can’t sing or play guitar singing and playing guitar under a tree. No joke.