My freshman year of college is coming to a close, and I most definitely am in denial about it. This chapter was full of late nights screaming to Taylor Swift, debating changing my major every three weeks, and perfecting the art of working a new microwave to cook my ramen.
If I could go back and give myself a push in the right direction as a freshman I would remind myself to take it slow. I would remind myself it’s totally okay to not have found my best friends by the first semester, let alone by the first week. And along with that, to savor the small wins like getting to your classroom on your first try and not the third, finding your favorite water fountain, and getting to eat dining hall food that’s not all beige.
As an incoming sophomore, I’ll also add for my future self’s sake to remember that upperclassmen are also just people. The difference a year of wisdom has isn’t small, but it’s also not big, so don’t feel bad if you mess up just because you’ve taken a year of college-level chemistry. College is about trying new things, finding what you enjoy, and balancing the academic need to succeed while also not crying over grades every three seconds.
You’re alive! You’re killing it! You’ve got it!