Coming into college, I was excited. I was going to school hours away from home, finally getting the independence I had been looking forward to. Like most freshmen, I thought I had at least somewhat of an idea of what the next four years would look like.
I didn’t.
And honestly, I think that’s one of the best parts.
Now, at the beginning of my senior year, I can look back and see just how much has changed. Not necessarily because I would change my college experience, but because there are things you simply can’t know until you experience them yourself. If anything, I would tell her to trust herself a little more and keep doing the things that would eventually make college feel like her own.
The first thing I would tell myself? It’s okay to change the plan
I walked into college as a sports management major. This spring, I will be graduating as an accounting major, and I couldn’t be happier with the direction I’m heading. When you first enter college, choosing a major can feel like you’re deciding exactly what you’re going to do for the rest of your life. You’re not. Sometimes figuring out what you want to do also means figuring out what you don’t want to do, and changing direction doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice the first time.
I’d also tell freshman me to keep saying yes.
In high school, I wasn’t someone who joined a million clubs. Most of my time went toward school and sports. College completely changed that. I joined what some people might consider an ambitious number of organizations, and getting involved has become one of my favorite parts of my college experience.
I’ve definitely gotten my fair share of “How do you do all of that?” or comments that I might be doing too much. But I’ve learned that balance doesn’t look the same for everyone. I genuinely love being busy. Staying organized has allowed me to create a balance that works for me, and I’ve had experiences I never would have had if I hadn’t kept putting myself out there.
In fact, freshman year, I almost didn’t put my name and face on campaign flyers to run for class treasurer.
I am so glad I did.
That one decision gave me the opportunity to meet amazing people, have conversations about important issues, and become more involved with my class and campus. Now, three years later, I’m beginning my senior year as one of my class senators. Freshman me had absolutely no idea where putting her name on that flyer would lead.
So, freshman me: put your name on the flyer. Apply for the position. Join the club. Say yes to the opportunity.
I would also tell myself that you don’t have to have everything figured out on your own.
One of the biggest changes from high school to college for me was learning to actually use the resources around me. In high school, there weren’t many times when I felt like I needed extra help. College was different. I started going to professors’ office hours, asking more questions, and realizing that asking for help didn’t mean I wasn’t capable of figuring something out. Sometimes, asking the right question is exactly what helps everything finally click.
I also learned pretty quickly that there is no magical “correct” way to study. Every class is different. The way I prepare for one exam might look completely different from the way I prepare for another, and that’s okay. College has taught me a lot about how I learn best, but it has also taught me to be willing to change my approach when something isn’t working.
And maybe my most controversial piece of advice to freshman me would be this: it’s okay to put some pressure on yourself.
We’re constantly told not to worry so much, and while I understand the sentiment, I don’t completely agree with it. I think caring is a good thing. Holding yourself to high standards can push you to work harder and accomplish things you might not have thought you could.
For me, the answer was never to stop caring. It was learning how to balance everything I cared about.
Four years ago, I couldn’t have predicted most of the things that would become important parts of my college experience. I didn’t know I would change my major. I didn’t know how involved I would become. And I definitely didn’t know that putting my name on one campaign flyer would be the beginning of something I’d still be doing senior year.
Maybe that’s what I wish freshman me knew most.
You aren’t supposed to know exactly what the next four years are going to look like. Some of the best parts might come from plans you change, questions you ask, and opportunities you almost talk yourself out of taking.
So, dear freshman me: Keep caring. Keep asking questions. Change your mind when you need to. And when an opportunity scares you just enough to make you wonder whether you should go for it?
Put your name on the flyer.