Dear Freshman Self
Dear Freshman Self,
I know that this is the year you have been waiting for, for what seems like forever now. I know that you are incredibly nervous but excited to meet the people that will change your life for the better. And I know that as excited as you are to move to a new city and environment, you are also very anxious. Anxious that you won’t find your people and that Mississippi State was the wrong decision. Anxious that you will not be cut out for the architecture program. And anxious that you will spend your first year of college alone, confused, and out of options. But I am here to tell you that while these fears will never completely go away, you will gain more confidence in your talents, abilities, and yourself, and you will quickly learn that Mississippi State is the best decision you’ve ever made.
Your first year will be a constant struggle between spending time in Giles Hall and trying to find time for your friends, family, and Chi O. You are going to have some really hard nights where you feel like changing your major. You will have to spend all-nighters in Giles (and you will quickly learn to love coffee). But you will gain incredible friends that you can spend the rest of your life with. The two people sitting right next to you will become two of the biggest blessings you will ever receive. They will be the older brothers that you never had and the best support system you will ever know. Don’t be so critical of yourself. Remember that while you might be embarrassed to put your work next to someone else’s, you worked so hard on it, and you should be proud and learn from it. Also, get some sleep. Those all-nighters are not worth your sanity.
Do not be afraid to reach out for help. College can be tough and you will struggle big time. Whether you have anxiety and stress from architecture, homesickness, or the disruption of your routines, do not bottle it up. Reach out to the counseling center or your friends and let them know how you feel. Struggling is not something you should be ashamed of, because it is completely normal. College means making a lot of adjustments, and it is easy to get overwhelmed or get caught up in your head. Speak to someone. And never forget that there are people that love you and are rooting for you…even on your hardest days.
Cherish every single moment. Cherish the good and the bad, because it will all end sooner than you think. Treasure the movie nights with friends and the car rides at night jamming to music. Treasure the trips to Juva, the date parties, and insomnia runs. These memories will last you a lifetime and will be proof of how good God is to give you such incredible people in your life. You will meet your “soulmates” when you least expect it. That girl you have been stalking on Instagram will, by chance, live in Hull with you and will be the best friend that you have prayed for. And when the coronavirus sends you home, don’t forget to keep in touch with these friends.
And never forget that you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to! Hebrews 12:1 tells us to, “run with perseverance.” You’ve got this! The only one standing between you and achieving your goals is you. Don’t be afraid to really give it your all. Because at the end of the day, you will miss 100% of the shots you do not take, and your freshman year is full of so many incredible opportunities.
