Dear Freshman,

First of all, breathe. You made it here. You survived high school, college applications, FAFSA forms, and that weird “tell us about yourself” icebreaker where you debated whether saying “I like naps” counts as a personality. So, congratulations. You’re officially a Mav.

Let me warn you now: college is not like the movies. Nobody is tossing footballs on the lawns  24/7 or dancing on the tables like a scene out of a high school musical or throwing magical parties where everyone looks like they stepped out of a Forever 21 ad. Real college life looks more like sitting in the library at 2 a.m. eating Cheez-Its and ramen for dinner while asking yourself if the human body can run on caffeine and tears alone. (Spoiler: it can. For a while.)

Here’s something you need to know: it’s okay not to have it all together. Freshman year feels like everyone else got the secret syllabus for “How to Be an Adult” and you’re just winging it, but trust me, we’re all winging it. That kid who looks like he’s got it all figured out? He forgot to do laundry for three weeks and is currently wearing gym shorts to class in November.

Let’s talk about professors. Some will be amazing, life-changing, inspiring, the kind of teachers who make you want to read extra chapters just because they’re that good. Others will test your patience and endurance more than the actual subject. And attendance policies? Suddenly, you’ll realize how valuable 11:40 a.m. sleep is when you’re contemplating whether showing up is worth it or if your professor would understand your absence.

Oh, and about friends. You don’t need to be best friends with everyone you meet during orientation. Some people will drift, some will stay, and some you’ll later avoid in the dining hall by pretending to text or be really interested in the same Tik Tok video. That’s normal. Don’t stress about “finding your people” in week one or even month one. Your people will find you, sometimes in the most random ways, like bonding over how bad the Wi-Fi is or how weird the food being served in the cafeterias really is.

Now, food. In my opinion, all of the dining halls will test your faith. There will be days when the options look like they were cooked during the Great Depression and reheated just for you. Get creative. Mix and match. Make sandwiches. Order something new. And please always take fruit or small snacks for later. That fruit stash will save your life one day and the snack stash will keep you away from eating ramen all the time. And please remember to drink water. It may not be the liters you need, but your body will thank you.

You’ll also discover the fine art of procrastination. Suddenly, cleaning your entire dorm, alphabetizing your notebooks, and starting a new show will feel urgent the night before a paper is due. You’ll promise yourself, “Never again.” And then you’ll do it again. It’s part of the cycle. You’re okay, just breathe.

But here’s the thing: you’ll also grow. Freshman year will stretch you in ways you don’t see coming. You’ll have nights you cry, mornings you laugh so hard your stomach hurts, and moments that sneak up and remind you that you’re stronger than you thought.

So here’s my advice: don’t be too hard on yourself. Ask for help when you need it. Call home when you miss it (but hang up when they start asking if you’re eating vegetables or making friends). Take naps. Drink water. And give yourself permission to fail sometimes, because it’s how you learn.

One day, you’ll look back and realize that freshman you was doing the best they could. And honestly? That’s enough.

With Care,

A Former Freshman Who Survived on Coffee, Ramen, and a little bit of procrastination