- Those friends you met during Welcome Week might stick, but most will be fleeting. Don’t be afraid to let people go.
- Get involved! Don’t roll your eyes when your friends talk about joining clubs.
- Mix it up. Try to eat at different places on campus to avoid getting bored with absolutely everything.
- Stay up and watch the sunset at the Grove. You’re not gonna want to do that as much next year.
- Party every weekend, or don’t – but get your homework done first.
- Boys are going to come and go so try not to throw away all of your friendships just for a new love interest.
- Find yourself and try new things. You’re allowed to be a new person today than you were yesterday.
- Learn how to say “yes” to new experiences and spontaneous adventures.
- Learn how to say “no” to things that will distract you from God’s love and His plan.
- Take advantage of all that Phoenix has to offer! We have aquariums, zoos, amazing food, and bustling nightlife. Get off campus to enjoy it.
- Call your mom. Or your grandpa. Or your cousin. Or whoever that important family member in your life is. They miss you.
- Try not to be hard on yourself. You’re a freshman. You’re going to make mistakes. It’s part of growing up.
- But try not to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. At some point, a mistake isn’t a mistake. Be aware of unhealthy or harmful patterns.
- Go to karaoke night on Thursday in Thunderground. Enough said.
- You can go places by yourself. Learning how to be alone is just as important as learning how to work well with others.
- Clean the lint out of the dryer. The fire department will thank you.
- Tell the people around you that you love them and treasure the real ones. They’re hard to come by.
- Drive slowly in the garage. Please?
- Have fun. Take a deep breath and look around you. Take it all in.
Some days are going to be hard. Some days are going to feel impossible, but trust me college is awesome if you really take a moment to look around and embrace all of the wonder around you. This is a wonderful time in your life to gain new experiences, try out new things, incorporate more positive behaviors in your life, and to not be afraid to make mistakes. These lessons and moments are the only ways that we are able to grow and become better versions of ourselves. You are becoming shaped into the beautiful human being God intended you to be more and more each day. Take pleasure in the good days and know that the bad are all part of a master plan that is eventually going to feel and meaningful. It might be hard to believe it each day, but you are going to make it through your freshman year. Trust me, I did.
Lopes up!