To Our Future Littles:

It’s a little strange addressing people that don’t really exist yet, but I’ll give it a shot.

Hey Class of 2018. I know you must be super nervous/excited/scared since we’re only a couple of weeks into the school year. I know you are, I’ve been there. The first weeks I was nervous about classes, excited about “college life,” and scared about things like making friends and failing classes. It is hard going into a strange place where you don’t know anyone (maybe you know a few people, but I came in not knowing anyone).  I was super nervous about my roommate (I had only met her once over lunch). What if she wasn’t clean? What if she was rude? What if she was just crazy? I was terrified of my classes. I had never had to study in high school and was worried that I wouldn’t have the study skills that were necessary to pass my classes. The day before move-in, I was a nervous wreck.

Once I got here, I knew everything would be alright. My roommate was fantastic and we are just alike. My classes weren’t scary at all and I made an A on my first Theory test. Worrying is natural, but sometimes so unnecessary. As for friends, that was the easiest part. Not only did I get super close to my roommate and a couple of other girls on our hall, but the music people really form a bond. We’re all in practically the same classes, so we see each other constantly. It was so nice to have people that were going through the same things I was, having the same stresses I was having, and taking the same classes. All of us are like a little family. I know if I really needed anything, I could ask any one of those girls and they would do whatever they could for me.

One thing I didn't worry about that I maybe should have been stress. I never realized just how much stress I would be under. I really wanted to be involved in a lot of things. I was in three ensembles, taking a full hour lesson on two instruments, and had a job. I really had to look at what I was doing and align my priorities. Did I really want to try to do two instruments? I also had a bad problem with my schoolwork. I would stay up so late some nights doing homework that others I wouldn't be able to hold my eyes open and I would fall asleep trying to get work done. I continued my habit of procrastination from high school and realized quite quickly that I could not continue with that habit. It was hard to break the habit, but it is so worth it. I couldn’t spend another night staying up until two am writing two papers and doing a worksheet. It’s just not an efficient use of my time. With such limited time already, I learned to use my remaining time in a productive way. If I had a paper due, I would do it on a night when I didn’t have much other homework, or I would do a little at a time. It’s still hard to keep up with. Occasionally, I find myself waiting until the last minute on an assignment that I’m absolutely dreading, but I had to put my big girl panties on and just do it.

One thing that I’ve learned (that’s very important to my sanity) is that I have to have “fun time.” I have to allow myself to have time to hang out with friends and have a good time. Almost every weekend a couple of girls on my hall and I have movie night. We all really like chick flicks, so we watch a few of those every night. It’s not only a good way to relax and de-stress, but it allows us to have good bonding time. We also go shopping (even though I shouldn’t be spending the money). It’s just so relaxing. We even have sleepovers occasionally where a girl down the hall comes and sleeps in me and my roommate’s room. It’s so nice to get away from all the stress and relax.

            All-in-all, my advice is: don’t overextend yourself, don’t procrastinate, and allow yourself some relaxation time. And I promise, everything is going to be okay.