I'm getting ready to start my junior year (what!?) at Clemson University. I am so excited to see what The Lord has planned for me this year, and memories from my previous two years flood my mind. I want to focus on freshman year and what I learned, just because I know how much growing I did during that season of my life, and I want to try to shed some light on the experience for the incoming freshmen.

First of all: Never forget where you came from or who you are.
You know how you can go to your best friend's house, kick off your shoes, lay on the bed and just tell them all about your day? Or how you can come home after a long day and be goofy with your siblings and parents around the dinner table? Don't ever lose that feeling. The feeling of being 100% yourself around someone is, in my opinion, one of the best feelings in the world. Don't compromise your happiness or beliefs just because you think someone might not like the way you sing Justin Bieber's "Baby" when you're driving down the road or think you're weird because you do or don't want to drink underage. College is a new start, for sure. You are free to be whomever you want to be. However, just be sure you're happy with the person you see in the mirror.

You are there to earn an education.
Okay, I will be the first to admit that this one took me a while to figure out. There are so many things happening all the time and always someone to do them with. Be careful. Prioritize your time, and always make time for Jesus, your studies, and sleep.

Make friends.
While you are there to get an education, a 4.0 won't be the most valuable thing you take away from your college or university in four years. The memories and friendships you make will be the things that last forever. Not the grade you made in molecular biology. I have met the most incredible people at school. Your peers can be similar and yet so very different from you. And THAT'S OK!!! That's what makes college so beautiful, the most unlikely people form unbreakable bonds. You'll also find people who are just like you, with the same passion for your major, love for football, and quirky side. Please do not be worried about being lonely.

Be a part of something bigger than yourself.
Whether it's joining an intramural team, applying to be a trainer for a sports team, trying out for the cheerleading squad, or joining a sorority. Put yourself out there. Follow your passions and get involved. There is no better way to meet people. Plus you'll need a way to escape from your studies, and it needs to be something you enjoy.

If you do join a sorority, make sure it's your choice.
Don't join a certain sorority just because your mom was in it or your best guy friend from high school told you which ones were the "top tiers." When you walk into a round (at least it was this way for me), it is SO important that you feel at home. You should always feel like you can be yourself around these girls. These are the women that you will grow alongside, laugh until you cry with, and ugly cry with over the boy that stood you up for last night's function. It is imperative that you are honest with yourself and with the girls that you talk to during formal recruitment. Be confident in who you are. It will show, and trust me, it will pay off.

Have fun!
Seriously. You keep hearing it, but these four years are about to be the best four years, yet! Don't waste them! Put yourself out there, be confident in your abilities to make an A on that test or ask that boy or girl to the dance! Be the first to strike up a conversation with that girl you sit beside in anatomy class. Everyone is a little nervous. Please never think you're alone, because I can promise you that at least 5 other people on your hall are feeling the same way! Keep your door open on your hall when you're not studying or sleeping. My entire hall did that my freshman year, and we still keep in touch and hang out. It's okay to be nervous, but don't let it consume you. Let Jesus use you and grow you in some really cool ways this year. You only get one freshman year, so take it all in, take chances, and enjoy the ride. I will be praying for you.

In the words of Hannah Montana, "{College} is what you make it, so let's make it ROCK!!!"