For those who do not know, May 1st is decision day, a national day for high-school students to declare which college they’re attending in the fall. Decision day is not only a day of declaration but a day of celebration as well. To all the incoming college students, congratulations! Your hard work has finally paid off and now it is time to rejoice and prepare for the newest chapter of your life.

As a first-generation college student, I looked forward to decision day as if it were Christmas. I grew up with a heavyweight on my shoulders that carried my ambitions to make it out Chicago and into a place of higher learning. Decision day was my time to show out and show the world what the last four years of hard work had granted me with. However, I had no idea that my initial excitement to attend college would be disrupted by roadblocks that I would have never expected, just because I simply had no one to tell me. Therefore, I have constructed a letter to first-generation college students. These are all the things I wish I would have known and these are also things I am glad to have learned. To all my first-generation college students, especially my black/brown youth; this transition is tough, these lessons are hard, but you have proven your resilience by rising above the statistics placed against you, take what I’m sharing and learn from it. Your time is now, treat it as such.

My first essential tip is to choose your major wisely. I am a person who practices the phrase “preference is pleasure”. I am also solely motivated by passion. With that being said, I do not think anyone should choose a major purely based off of the financial benefits. College is a choice and college is an investment for your future, meaning it is all on you. Various people will present you with different opinions and perspectives on life but it is your job to secure your future. I was never a person who just wanted a “good job”. I want a career that I look forward to being involved in every day, no matter what the pay may be like. College is a difficult journey and it should not be even more complicated because you’re not enjoying the process of getting that “good job”. Follow your heart. My first year in college alone has proven to me that I am destined to pursue my dream job and I think everyone should be able to enjoy that feeling because it keeps you going. If you’re torn between majors, go in undecided, there is absolutely nothing wrong with figuring out where you want life to take you. I truly emphasize being sure of these big decisions that you make because they will shape the outcome of your future.

Secondly, I believe almost every incoming college student doubts how much they will miss home, especially out of state students. You will miss home. You will. It does not seem that way as you are excited to finally be on your own, but it happens. You miss home because it’s what is comfortable. You have your favorite restaurants, areas, and things to do, etc. That familiarity is thrown out the window once you go to college. The realization of missing of home is saddening amongst feeling many other emotions, but it should not eat you up, you chose to take this route for a reason. One of the most important things to do is to be in tune with your emotions and acknowledge your feelings. Doing so will allow you to work past those hard emotions and enjoy what is right in front of you, the experience of a lifetime.

One thing that will help you adjust to college life is finding a routine. That was one of my biggest struggles first semester because I had no idea what to do with myself. If you have hobbies you did back home, try to carry them with you to college. Take time out to analyze what your day to day schedule is like and how can you personalize it. Finding my routine first semester greatly increase my comfortability on campus. I felt like I had a place and a purpose larger than just being in class. This is something I recommend doing within your first month or so because it allows you to commit to it and tweak it as your college life changes.

An excellent way to find a routine is to get involved. College campuses offer a lot more than meets the eye. There are organizations on campus catered toward your major, that will allow you to network, gain experience or both. There are also organizations centered on regional similarities or your general interests. Getting involved gives you a presence on campus. It also lets you develop a routine while meeting new people. You never know what type of people your campus has to offer until you take the initiative to find out. There will be plenty of people with similar interests, life experiences, and passions, you just have to go find them!

Another big part of involvement is getting to know your campus. I spent my whole first semester not knowing certain buildings existed until I need them. Having a solid set of knowledge of your campus will allow you to easily maneuver around and you will simultaneously always know who to talk to when you need them. I’d personally suggest that you take note of your; financial aid building, advisor office, library, mental health facility, and career center. These buildings are in my opinion, core places to visit and keep up with, in order to fulfill all of your general needs on campus.

While you get to know your campus, look into finding a mentor, especially if you are first gen. Mentors mean the world to me because they serve as the guardian figure you lack when you get to college. I recommend finding a mentor within your major who can really give you the 411 about how to progress through college and in life. Doing so will guarantee you that nurture you that you naturally need in college.

One thing that is essential to brace is budgeting. Wealthy or not college is all about wise spending. Essentially college is an investment to your future and you do not want to waste money while being here. Utilize different ways to accesses pricey textbooks and monitor how often you splurge on going out. If you practice these precautionary means now it’ll become second nature throughout your matriculation. College is a huge wake-up call of adulthood and now is the time to mentally prepare yourself to handle that.

The last thing I want to leave you with is to come into college wholeheartedly. This is your time to shine, the moment you’ve been waiting for, do not blow it. Take the ambition and excitement that you have on decision day into your matriculation. You are going to college to better yourself, so do not waste your time here. When saying that, I do not mean be a perfect college student, because that does not exist. What I mean is you should put yourself out there, learn, network, grow, and succeed. Time is of the essence, so value it.