You just finished high school as a confident senior. Classes were too easy as you completed most of the homework during study hall or between other classes. You established an entire entourage of close friends and cliques that followed your every movement. You formed groups and caused senseless drama. Talking about boys or girls and impressing a significant other seemed more challenging than the weekly assignments. You conquered school with your head held high. Ultimately, high school became a second home for many individuals. However, if you were more shy or uncomfortable with striving outside your comfort zone, you struggled to find the perfect niche or even a close friend. High school encompassed many highs and lows for a variety of students. Nevertheless, one fact remained: strangers became friends and friends became family.

You started off as an innocent freshman during high school orientation, hoping to God you recognized a familiar face in the crowd or would quickly meet someone new. You were scared and nervous, but you weren't alone. Although thinking you could never overcome the initial intimidation of such an unknown environment, you succeeded in maintaining lasting friendships and countless memories. Now you're starting your first year of college.

As your first week of freshman year rapidly approaches, you begin to experience the same emotions and anxiety during high school orientation. People seem scarier. Buildings and classrooms appear more unfamiliar. Common sense runs straight out the door. You experience a completely unknown yet oddly familiar feeling from recent years. The little things quickly accumulate and effortlessly overwhelm each aspect of your daily schedule and looming priorities. Doubt and uncertainty invade your previously confident and reliable mindset. The simplest tasks appear challenging and more confusing than before. With fear of the unknown dictating your every move, you soon question your character and ability to succeed.

Even so, you cannot allow these natural emotions to determine your intended path. Just like freshman year in high school, you became involved in clubs, extracurricular activities, and other social outlets that enabled you to gain precious reassurances and a jumpstart toward uncharted territory. Through each experience, you discovered more strengths about yourself than seemed possible. Any weakness was motivation to build yourself up instead of tearing yourself down. Starting freshman year of college, you must celebrate each success, no matter the size, and continue moving forward with a positive attitude.

Without feeling accomplished, nothing in life will seem worthwhile, even if it was truly meant for you. Make every victory count: celebrate the fact you woke up today and earned the privilege of attending college. Congratulate yourself on excelling in high school and receiving acceptance to a competitive university or college. Relish in the fact you managed to successfully pack all necessary luggage, which is no easy task for anyone. Celebrate your arrival to campus as you unload and settle into your welcoming freshman dorm. Pat yourself on the back for learning the way around campus and fearlessly putting yourself into a crowd of similarly scared faces. Recognize your ability to establish friendships and share your individuality. Appreciate the beauty and resources within each campus setting. Applaud yourself for choosing an institution that will accept you as an individual while introducing countless possibilities. Cherish each passing hour and small victory.

Build your courage and hidden confidence once again in order to tackle more difficult obstacles ahead. Never shut yourself out simply because you feel you aren't capable of succeeding. Attitude is everything and with a positive mindset, your daily challenges will become less overwhelming and more bearable. The choice is yours. Embrace new experiences and learn from mistakes instead of allowing them to define your character. Always pick yourself up again and continue fighting the good and necessary fight. Lower any unreasonable standards to more likely possibilities which will reduce stress and amplify self-confidence. All anyone can ever ask is that you put forth an honest and complete effort. Look at the positive in every situation and avoid resorting to idle excuses which will only prolong each demanding task at hand.

You are prepared for the upcoming year because you got yourself this far. The transition will take time as does anything in life worth something. Trust your instincts and make the right choices. Have fun and be your own all-star. Create a path that suits you and be yourself because everyone else is taken. As you enter into a group of similarly nervous freshman students, celebrate your successes and always enjoy the little things. You can do this. One step at a time with complete confidence. Saint Pope John Paul II declared, " Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing Christ is with you always." Good luck on your first official year as a college student. Be brave. Be bold. And always be the difference.