To the Incoming Freshman: A Love Letter

Dear College Freshman,

You’re about to begin one of the most transformative chapters of your life. And no, I’m not saying that in a cheesy, scripted, “best four years of your life” kind of way. I mean that this season, this in between of who you were and who you’re becoming, will stretch you, surprise you, shake you, and shape you in ways you can’t possibly predict.

Let me start with this:

Take the risk.

Try that thing you’re not sure you’re good enough for.

Say yes to the random invite from someone you just met in class. Introduce yourself to the person sitting alone at the dining hall. Show up — even when you’re nervous.

College isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing up despite the fear. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out. You're not supposed to walk in on day one knowing exactly who you are, what you want, or where you belong. In fact, if you did… you’d be doing it wrong.

Because here’s the truth very few say out loud:

It’s okay to fail.

It’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay if your circle shifts as you growIt’s okay to feel completely lost. And it’s okay to start over — as many times as you need to.

Rejection? It’ll happen. From people, clubs, jobs, maybe even your dream major. (unfortunately we are not all meant to be in the medical field and that’s ok) 

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re not good enough.

It’s redirection.

It’s life guiding you somewhere better, even if you don’t see it right away. TRUST THE PROCESS. 

You will find your people. Maybe not in week one. Maybe not even in semester one.But one day you’ll be sitting on a dorm room floor laughing until your stomach hurts, or driving to a random concert in another city, or studying at midnight with a group of people who feel more like home than your own zip code. You’ll find the ones who get you. Who push you. Who see you.

And if you’re lucky — they’ll become the bridesmaids at your wedding. The names saved in your phone under inside jokes. The ones who’ll be at your baby shower, your first big move, your every milestone. Don’t panic if you haven’t met them yet. Your story is still unfolding.

Also, please hear this:

Figuring out what you want to do doesn’t look the same for everyone.

Some people walk in with a five-year plan and walk out with the same one.Others will change majors three times(like me), take a gap semester, cry in the advising office, and still end up exactly where they’re meant to be. You don’t have to force it. Your passion might not shout — it might whisper. And it will probably always grow and evolve as you do. 

You’ll find it by being curious, by following what lights you up, and by paying attention to what makes you feel most alive.

And just so you know…Sometimes, the school you never thought you’d go to… the one that felt like a “backup plan,”becomes the place where every dream comes to life. It becomes the backdrop to your greatest memories.The place where you fall in love with your life.Where you build something that feels like magic.Where the version of you that you’ve been waiting to meet finally shows up.

So as you walk onto that campus for the first time, with your Target comforter, the planner you’ll never use, and way too many notebooks, remember this:

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all together. You just have to be open. To growth. To change. To heartbreak and healing and 3am 5star pizza and letting yourself feel it all.

This is your beginning. Messy. Beautiful. Yours.

With love, someone who’s been there

and would do it all again in a heartbeat.

June 2018