Dear Freshman Year Me,

You did it.

I won't sugarcoat it: the next four years will be some of the toughest of your life, but they’ll also be some of the most fun, exciting, and rewarding years, too. You’re going to encounter challenges: switching your major, roommate drama, confidence issues, losing your passion for the sport you’ve played your whole life, difficult classes, and, yes, racking up a ton of parking tickets (seriously, just buy the parking pass). But alongside adversity, you’ll also find prosperity—just keep reading.

Get involved! I’m not talking about that club soccer team you’ll end up quitting because of a terrible coach and being more out of shape than you thought you were. Join Ad Club, or PRSSA—it’s NOT too late! Connect with your classmates; don’t wait until winter semester of your senior year to make friends in your major. These will be some of the most supportive and best people you’ll meet. Trust me, not getting involved will be your biggest regret in college. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s absolutely true. So, GET INVOLVED!

Yes, you read that correctly: we quit the soccer team. Honestly, it’s going to be one of the hardest decisions you’ll make. Giving up that sport you thought you’d play forever is tough, but quitting the team will ultimately be the best choice for you. Remember, though, joining the team allowed you to play with your sister one last time and helped you make some of your closest friends—who will eventually become your roommates for the last two years. No, you won’t stay friends with your freshman year roommate from high school. Just hang in there; it may take longer than you expect, but you will find your people, maybe even a boyfriend...

You’ll grow in ways you can’t yet imagine, and remember: change is a good thing. We may not have a degree in Psychology, but we graduated with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Not only did we graduate, but we thrived. Yes, I’ll say it again because you probably didn't think you would ever hear that when it came to anything school related. We thrived! Maybe you'll make the Dean's List once or twice ;) You couldn’t have chosen a better major for yourself. Who would have thought you’d actually enjoy learning when it’s something you’re truly passionate about?

Believe it when they say these next four years will fly by in the blink of an eye—because it’s true. And it’s also true when they say they’ll be the best four years of your life, so don’t take a single second for granted. Enjoy those times in the living room doing homework with your roommates, or rotting all day after a night out with your friends. Embrace the struggles you'll face, you're going to wish you could experience them again if it meant reliving those college days.

If no one has told you, I am proud of you. I am proud of all the adversity you have faced, and all the prosperity that is to come.

You did it.