To whom it may concern:

Upon coming to college, your feet may be getting cold. You wonder if your mystery roommates will be nice, if you will get lost on campus and be late to class, if you have enough meal plans and whether or not you have made the right choice in anything thus far. The last thing that should be on your mind is worry; however, there are some points to consider for the things mentioned above. Get to know your roommates, or anyone you meet here on out, before you judge because they may be your newest friends. Use your time wisely for the first week or so to determine how long it takes you to get ready for class and how long it takes to get there. You’ll be surprised on how often you do not use your meal plans. Some people have a hard enough time using up ten per week since there are restaurants, convenient stores and a grocery store nearby. Finally, you have made the right choice in going to college. If you feel that a particular campus or major is not right for you, there is no shame in transferring or changing majors; people do this all the time. Having a high education will be extremely beneficial for you in the near and far future and you will never regret it.

College life is fun, especially if you get involved in extracurricular activities. Do not shy away from clubs, organizations and sports that you personally are intrigued by and want to join. This is a time to create a new, maybe better, you. Where you can express yourself in ways you might not have seen possible before. You will meet people whom have the same ideals and opinions as you, though they may not arise that first day, month or semester even. Give it time and you will find your place in this new community. Avoid worrying about what others think of you; this is not high school where there are clicks and trends. Everyone at college will be what they are and everyone else accepts and acknowledges that.

Within the city or town that your college is placed, be sure to branch out. Go to local museums, parks, theaters, shops and eateries to experience your new surroundings as a whole. Then, when you find a place you supremely enjoy, make your parents take you there when they visit. Personally, I have enjoyed the Ritz Theater and shopping stores in Philadelphia. You can never go wrong with having no tax on clothes. Adventuring through a city is also a great way to get closer to others. Gather a group of some new people you’ve met at college and plan an outing. Suggest that they also bring some new friends that way more people can meet more new people. Cheesy, but works.

On a more serious note: schoolwork and social life. Some people will have a hard time adjusting to the workload and social life of college. If you are worried this will happen to you then listen carefully. Manage your time, procrastination worked in high school and it may for a little while through college, but it will not endure forever. If you have multiple assignments, essays and/or projects due on the same day, plan out when you will complete each so that you do not end up doing them all the night before. It is not difficult to do even if it means having to stay in one night during the weekend. If you have trouble writing essays, mathematics, etc. then use the resources that your college offers such as writing seminars and tutors. Do not worry about being judged for needing help. We all will go to help for one thing or another in college. As for exams, study, study, study. They are not like your high school exams that you can start studying for between hours. Study in groups, study in a study lounge, even study via flashcards if it helps. You do not need to spend every waking hour studying, but again, manage your time.

A healthy social life also needs time management. You need to get out of the dorm. Staying in a horrid colored room with poor lighting and dry air is not healthy for anyone on a mental and physical level. Interaction with other human beings is vital, so be sure to do that. If you are having trouble meeting new people and/or going out, become involved with clubs, organizations or sports. These are good ways of meeting people quickly. Do not be afraid to invite newly met people to have lunch or see a movie. If you hear of, or are invited to, parties then try it out. You never know whom you will meet. Be careful; however, since some people will end up partying too much and this may reflect on their schoolwork. As mentioned countless times, manage your time. There will be that next weekend to go out if you happen to miss one due to schoolwork. No one should judge you for neglecting a party to finish a project; we all do that some time.

College is an experience; experience it. Be mindful, respectful and dutiful when going through this part of your life. Some will say college is the best years of your life while others say it is meh. Take this letter as something to learn from, nothing is set in stone when it comes to college advice, but take this into consideration. College is what you make of it, so be yourself and do not forget to call your parents; they will be thinking of, and missing, you everyday.

Sincerely,

A college student

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