Dear Freshman Year,

Today I began cleaning out my dorm room and packing up all of my things, and it honestly made me kind of sad. Like seriously, where did time go? It honestly feels like I moved in yesterday.

I feel like freshman year is really underrated (of college; high school sucks). I loved freshman year, which might be an unpopular opinion, but I am sure that there is someone out there that agrees with me.

Freshman Year, you were something else. You were full of new people, new adventures, fun, laughs, tears, and a lot of late nights. I mean seriously-- I thought people were kidding when they said that they stayed at the library until 2 in the morning.

When I was making the long 7-hour drive from Minnesota to Nebraska, I was full of nerves and excitement: so curious of the year that was ahead of me. At this point, I was probably more afraid of recruitment week that was 2 days later, but most of it was excitement.

Move in was the worst: lots of unpacking, lots of people (including my roommates entire extended family; sweetest people ever), and lots of tears. Honestly, I didn't think I was going to cry when my family left, I've always been a really independent person. But then my dad, who NEVER cries, started to cry and I pretty much lost my shit.

The first few weeks are hard, being out of state and completely out of my comfort zone. I was in a sorority full of strangers who I was supposed to feel this super strong connection with, in a state that was full of corn and people telling me I had a weird accent, and on a campus that I had only been to once before. I was so overwhelmed. Like what the hell did I get myself into?

About 6 weeks in, I was ready to move home. I felt as if I wasn't making friends, I was in the complete wrong major, and I missed my dogs (and my parents). But then something changed.

I don't know what exactly flipped the switch, but everything flipped for the better. I was loving my classes, I started going out with my girlfriends a lot more, doing well on exams, and missing Minnesota a little bit less.

I have to thank you freshman year, as I owe you everything for introducing me to my best friends, a major that I love, and a city that I never want to leave.

Game days were the best days. There is something about a Husker football game that is like no other: I can't really explain it, but the energy in Lincoln on game day is insane. The tailgates, the stadium, and downtown Lincoln after a win is an experience like no other.

Formals were great too: Getting all dressed up like I was back in high school, going to nightclubs or huge venues, it's a million times better than any high school dance in the cafeteria let me tell you.

Living with your friends 24/7 is all fun and games until it becomes dangerous (before you know it, you are being drug out of your bed against your will to go with your bff to impress some guy at a party, but that's what friends are for right?). Your friends become your biggest hype mans, shoulders to cry on, and your literal family, which is something an out of state college student might lack. Which brings me to my last point, home away from home.

Freshman year, the best gift you have blessed me with is my sorority, which literally provides me a home away from home. I literally don't think I would still be attending this university if it wasn't for the girls in my sorority or any of my friends for that matter. They have supported me so much, and I kind of owe my whole college experience tho them.

So, if you are a senior in high school, or just haven't met freshman year yet, get ready for the time of your life. Being a freshman is actually SO fun. College is a fresh start, a way to completely wipe the slate. Take advantage of it, because freshman year is something you don't want to let slip away.

Obviously, don't take advantage of the time you have left with your friends and family at home, but don't go into it with cold feet. Because college isn't about being in your comfort zone when you first start out, it's going to be really weird and REALLY wild, but don't let that scare you, because it's all about new life experiences and figuring out who you really are (cheesy af i know).

So, freshman year, thank you. Thank you for teaching me so much about myself, others, and the world around me. There have been lots of ups, and a hell of a lot of downs, but I am forever thankful for you.

Sincerely,

A college freshman graduate.