A Letter to Baby Onyx!

By: Symone Conway

Dear Baby Onyx,

If you haven’t already heard it a million times by now, college goes by fast. As someone who has just entered their junior year, I cannot believe how quickly the time passes. Here’s some advice as you navigate your undergraduate years:

1. It’s okay to be a freshman.

Everyone has those moments where they are embarrassed to be a freshman. Upperclassman roll their eyes and people crack curfew jokes. You find yourself trying to find ways to NOT stick out like a freshman and appear older than you are. There are so many moments from my freshman year that I would relive a thousand times over. Ignore the desire to grow up too fast. After freshman year, the pressure kicks in and things get real. Embrace being baby onyx, take the advice from older classes, and enjoy the innocence of your first year.

2. Be WISE.

Everyone assumes that because you’re in college, there won’t be drama. They assume people will really act like the young adults they should be. You will find that the drama and childishness from high school hasn’t quite gone away just yet. The maturity level of your peers might not be where it should be. Don’t give in to anything that genuinely is not worth it. Beyond academics, none of the drama here will matter in 5 years, so pay it complete dust. It’s easier said than done, but reputations go far, and everyone talks. When you know better, you do better, so don’t repeat old, childish, or messy habits. 

3. Don’t spread yourself too thin

As great as it is to be involved in 8 clubs and organizations, it’s not realistic. When a campus like ours offers so much, it’s easy to get caught up in joining everything that piques your interest. But as you join things, remember that these clubs have dues, meeting days, time commitments, bondings, and events, and YOU are only ONE person. Don’t join things to “look good” or impress the next person. You only get one chance at undergrad, and you need to live for you at all times. Join what keeps you happy and what might advance you academically. You’ll still need time to take care of yourself. 

4. However, step out of your zone 

Growing up, I was very reserved. Most people would have described me as shy. You grow so much being away from home. Even after my first semester, my friends and family at home noticed the positive change in my personality. I began to join things and find a different side of myself that I never thought was there. I changed so much, that I even did a pageant my sophomore year, which was completely unlike the version of myself I had known. Did I get scared at times? Absolutely. But the motto, “You only live once” is so prevalent while you’re in college, that sometimes it doesn’t make sense to pass an opportunity by, as you never know what may come from it. 

5. They’re not the love of your life.

You came in thinking you would find your soulmate here. And you felt amazing after meeting that first boy or girl that seemed so perfect. Lucky for you, it’s not going to work out that first time around. It might not even work the second time. In college, it’s okay to experience people. Remember as you date to be transparent, trying to be a player is overrated. You can go farther by being honest. Don’t compare your love life to others, because everyone’s life is on a different path. You’ll find your boo when the time is right!

6. Be intentional.

Beyond being an honest dater, be intentional about your work. You cannot cram for a test the night before or morning of and expect the best results. As professors notify you of quizzes or exams, keep yourself organized and study day by day. The parties are not going anywhere, and you will realize that Hampton is not a party school. Everyone here is equally as smart and has goals just as big as yours. Stay on top of your work and remind yourself of the bigger picture. 

College is meant to be fun. Take the pictures, make the friends, drop the class, call home, get involved, network, use your resources. It’s going to go by fast <3. 

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• college