I remember being terrified to start freshman year. I was worried about classes being too hard and not being able to make friends. I was especially worried about meeting my new roommate. We had chosen random selection, and I had no idea what to expect.
Then the first night in the dorm came and went, and the world didn’t end. Then I went to my first class, and the world still didn’t end. After a few weeks, it was hard to imagine being anywhere else. Suddenly, I was out on my own and living with my best friend. I’ll never forget the two of us walking downstairs to our first class of the day in pajamas. We would spend most of class writing notes on each other’s google docs, giggling at the silly ones. I learned a lot about her just from having the opportunity to read her essays.
Now it’s two years later, and I’m living with the kindest, most supportive people I’ve ever had in my life – including my freshman year roommate. I wish I had spent more time enjoying them being around me and less worrying about if I even deserved to have them as friends. My life would be going down a very different path. If not, the road would have been much smoother having other people to count on.
If I could offer one piece of advice to any new freshman, it would be to pay attention in class. Even if it’s just a gen ed or an elective. You really never know what you will learn from your professors and, maybe more importantly, from your classmates. You also never know when something you learn will come in handy later on in life. A simple discussion could open your eyes to a perspective you’ve never considered before. I’ve learned more these past few weeks of classes than I have in my entire life, just by showing up and paying attention. Meet as many new people as you can and try to stay honest to what makes you happy. Enjoy your time in college, not because it’ll be the best time of your life, but because you’re already here. There is something a little magical about living in a community of your peers. You really never know what will happen next.