Dear Nervous Freshman,

This fall, I will be heading into my second year of college. I am super excited to return to my dorm room, my friends, and even some of my classes. I have to admit that this time last year, I wasn't this excited. A year ago, the excitement was replaced with nervousness.

Let's just be honest, the whole idea of college is crazy. In most cases, terrified freshman like you have to move into a tiny room with a complete stranger. If you are like I was, then you probably have no clue who your roommate is. I didn't even meet her until move in day. Then, you usually have three days of fun and exhausting orientation. Then, by the time classes actually start, you're excited for a time of rest. And, even though you might not want to admit it, you miss your family and the comforts of home, and you are mortified at being called an adult.

Well, Nervous Freshman, I'm here to tell you that it's okay to be terrified. Every freshman was terrified at one point. However, I know that deep down you are excited because I was too.

Let me tell you what happened to me. Yes, I didn't meet my roommate until we moved in, and I was so scared to meet her. I was afraid we would be so different that we would argue all the time. Well, now she is like a sister I never had. We hang out all the time, and it feels like I've known her forever, not just a year. And I made other friends that I'm just as close to. Yes, you are moving into a room the size of a closet with a complete stranger, but, trust me, God will work it out for you. He did for me.

I know it's scary to be an adult when it feels like yesterday that you were going into high school. Guess what: life is scary. I feel like I am completely out of my comfort zone being an adult, and you will too. But, God has put you where you are for a reason, and He will take your worries from you if you let him. Trust Him, and everything will work out.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Signed,

Sierra: A previously terrified freshman, now an excited sophomore