Lessons I've Learned in College

Dear Freshman Me,

If you were really able to read something like this, these are the things I would advise you. You might be pretty overwhelmed right now. Essentially everything is new - the school, the people, the living situation, the city - and you are bound to run into issues that you might have never faced before. Here’s what you should know about starting this seemingly daunting chapter of your life.

First of all, you’re facing the problem of basically knowing no one, and maybe your mind is in overdrive thinking about all the socializing you’ll have to do to establish friends and acquaintances. But just know that you can’t force friendships. Sometimes the person that you think and hope will be a great friend just isn’t going to be. And that’s okay. Friends come and go because your individuals lives are constantly changing. Another important thing to keep in mind is that mutuality is key. Friendships cannot be one-sided; so no matter how hard you try, it’s not going to work out if you don’t get the same energy back. Friendships will come unexpectedly. I know patience is a grueling matter, but it’s necessary. Patiently put your genuine self out into your new world.

Speaking of this patience, it might be accompanied by some form of loneliness. Maybe it’s constant or maybe it comes in waves. Within this energy you’re using

to keep reminding yourself to be patient, is some good news: this is a good opportunity for personal growth. Take advantage of this excess amount of free time to get to truly know yourself. What do you enjoy? What is it that you’ve always wanted to do? What do you want - now and in the future? This is the time to figure that out. When are you ever going to get this kind of free time again?

So you’re approaching your first ever round of midterms, and you know you need to study. But studying like you did in high school isn’t going to cut it. Maybe you figured this out after that rough first midterm. Then, on top of that you might be worrying about trying to get a job or a summer internship. Don’t worry, though. Eventually you’ll understand how exactly to study for different kinds of classes. And eventually you’ll make finding a job a temporary priority. Each of these will come eventually as long as you put in the work. Just don’t stop pursuing.

This year, your freshman year, you bought a dining plan because your parents are not here to cook you meals anymore, and freshmen residence halls usually don’t have kitchens. These dining halls are pretty decent compared to other schools, so it’s possible to get a little carried away in the beginning. Here’s some news: freshman 15 is real. Simply the fact that you don’t eat the same foods you used to - even if you eat about the same amount - has the potential to change you.

Watch what you eat. And try your hardest to avoid eating when you’re bored.

Something that you should really do is push yourself to try new things. Go to a ton of club meetings and figure out which ones you like. Figure out a way to insert what you enjoy into your daily life. Find an activity that will let you do this. And try things that you’ve always thought about and never actually done. This is your chance. You may be sick of socializing now, but your future self will thank you for opening up. As you get older it might get more difficult. This is when you’ll have some of the most success by putting yourself out there.

Something that is the most shocking, and which slightly encompasses all of these obstacles, is simply being independent. You are on your own, and for a time you are the only one who is completely watching over you.

You are one step closer to the adult world. There is a new kind of support system here, but here, you’re not going to be babied. Every issue that arises is one that you will have to figure out how to resolve yourself. If you have questions, you have to ask them and find the answers yourself. Go and seek out what you want answers to. It may seem scary to seek out something by yourself. To make important phone calls and to navigate the bureaucracies of a university and of the world outside your hometown. But without easing yourself into

doing these things, you’ll be stuck in the same place.

I hate to say that you’ll continue to stress yourself out through the rest of your college career - but you are so capable of succeeding. Enjoy the free time while you can, and never stop working hard for what you want.

Sincerely Yours,

Rachel Lee & Tatiana Diaz de Leon