As I am wrapping up my freshman year of college, there are a few things I’d like the incoming freshman to know. This has genuinely been one of the best, yet most trying times of my life. I am so excited for you (incoming freshman) to experience all that college has to offer you!

1. It’s okay to be nervous!

I wont be the first to tell you that it is okay to be nervous about move in day! As I pulled up to the curb by the dorm where I would live for my freshman year of college, I felt as if I was going to actually vomit. That day will be a whirlwind, but I promise you will remember every second of it, so make sure you enjoy it!

2. Get rid of your comfort zone.

By this, I mean be willing to talk to people you usually wouldn’t. There really isn’t such thing as a comfort zone in college. You will probably-maybe-more than likely-absolutely have to step outside of your comfort zone at least fifty times during your freshman year of college. Whether this be for a class, (especially speech class), a different group of friends, a group project, or random programs your school puts together that you somehow get sucked into participating in… you will be pushed outside of your comfort zone. So, just leave it home with you when you head to college, it’ll make things so much easier, and so much more fun!

3. Ask questions!

You heard me, ask questions! If you don’t know where a certain building is, ask the next person you see on the sidewalk! If you don’t know where to get some good food, ask! If you are in a lecture class of 200 students and don’t understand something, raise your little hand, and ASK, because you will only regret the questions you never asked. Ask your hall director, your RA, your neighbors, or a stranger whenever you have a question, and remember: you are NOT the only one with questions. DON’T ASSUME YOUR QUESTION IS SILLY BECAUSE MORE THAN LIKELY…IT’S ALREADY BEEN ASKED!

4. Dorm food =)

Just eat it. Forget about the freshman fifteen, and just eat the dang food. It’s really all that’s available to you.  Get creative with it, too! I remember for the first few weeks of college, I only ate a certain few things because it’s what I was used to. I asked around, and found out all the different dining facilities, and tried new things! You made it through high school lunches… you can absolutely make it through dorm food!

5. Remember: you are new at this

You will meet some of your best friends during college, and I just so happened to meet mine during my freshman year. Take advantage of the all nighters you have to pull, and create memories with your friends. Order food at 3am, because why not? Sit in your friends room for hours to talk about anything and everything, because very rarely will you have time to just sit. Go out, you’re a freshman, but be responsible! Surround yourself with people who fill you with light and love, I promise you won’t regret it. Do silly things, and don’t care for a second who is laughing at you, and care more about the people laughing with you! TAKE PICTURES! So what if you take 20 pictures in one day?! I have never regretted a single picture I have taken during my freshman of college. Change your major 5 times your freshman year if you want, it really doesn’t matter quite yet! Remember: you are new at this. So little is expected of you, and all you need to focus on is that you have been blessed with the opportunity to go to college. Try your absolute best, smile often, and laugh too much. You will do JUST fine, freshman.