Dear Class of 2017,
Hey! Brea speaking. I was just wanting to let you know I’ve noticed you around campus. Don’t worry, I haven’t been like stalking you or anything, I’ve just seen a lot of fresh faces lately! Speaking of which, where do you buy your blush?
I’m writing this letter because as cliché as it may sound, I wish someone would have done the same for me. I have made it to senior year. *Insert cheers.* Yes, to you that may sound like a bajillion years away, but trust me, it’s not. The only difference between you and me is that I didn’t have the opportunity to experience freshman year as a Jayhawk. So everything you’re experiencing, I did too, just as a sophomore! So, don’t roll your eyes just yet. I may have some good things here.
If I’m correct, you have just finished your first week at the University of Kansas! Congratulations, you’ve successfully survived Syllabus Week! Now what?
Well, as much as I would love to play the role of mama bear, I can’t tell you WHAT to do. But, I can suggest some things to consider as you begin your college career at KU.
First, and foremost, GO TO CLASS! I can’t stress this enough. I know, I know, “But Brea, the professor said attendance isn’t mandatory.” I understand this, but why would you pay hundreds of dollars per credit hour not to show up? I’ll admit, (sorry, mom) that I have skipped my fair share of classes because they weren’t mandatory. But looking back, nutrition might have been something worth knowing for future references. It will be much more difficult to take classes in 20 years, than just showing up today.
So, by now you’ve probably seen a bunch of crazy students, dressed in bright colors trying to hand you flyers on Wescoe Beach. Take them. Read them. And after, if you aren’t interested, throw them away in the nearest trashcan. (Our campus is beautiful, please keep it that way.) These people want you to join clubs and organizations. When you are a senior looking for that prestigious, real world job, they are going to look at your résumé and want to see that you were involved. Trust me. Don’t wait until the end of your junior year to start becoming active. Also, sometimes these crazy people are even giving away FREE stuff! Now that you are a college kid, you LOVE free stuff.
I may be biased. But KU is pretty stinkin’ rad. You should probably take some time as well and check out all there is to offer. Go bowl at Jaybowl on the first floor of the Union. Have a picnic in Marvin’s Grove. Check out the Natural History Museum, where you can crawl through a worm tunnel, if that’s your thing. Actually GO to the library. Not only do you feel all “collegy,” and like you’re in a movie, but you can actually get a bunch of work done. Not to mention, autumn on campus and Lawrence in general, is absolutely gorgeous. Take a walk down Mass street with your friends, or just by yourself, for a little “you” time.
I also don’t like to assume, but I’m guessing you have heard about this little thing called “basketball,” at least once since you’ve been on campus. Well, it’s true. Everything they say is true. Unless they said that Mizzou has the best team in all the land, then that of course is completely false. Sports are kind of a big deal at KU. We like to do things such as, wave the wheat, camp out in Allen Fieldhouse, and wear ridiculous amounts of red and blue. If you’re thinking, “Blue really isn’t my color,” that’s crazy talk. Everyone looks good in blue. But on a serious note, go to sporting events. Yeah, basketball is great, but show support for our other teams as well. Did you know our women’s track team won the NCAA Outdoor track and field championship last year? Well, they did. And they, along with every single one of our teams, need recognition.
As much as I could go on and on, this letter appears to have become a tad longer than I had anticipated. I think what I really just want to say is, enjoy these college years. You are the one who ultimately decides how you want to experience them. Because, before you know it, you’ll be in my shoes, writing letters to the class of 2020. And if that doesn’t seem bizarre to say, I don’t know what does!
Best of luck in all of your future endeavors, Jayhawks, and as always, Rock Chalk!
Sincerely,
Brea Cudney, Class of 2014