To the Incoming College Freshman

To the incoming college freshman, what an amazing four years you are about to embark upon.

Maybe you’re going to attend the school of your dreams. Maybe you’re moving hours away from your family and the place you’ve always called home. Maybe you’re getting ready to take the biggest step out of your comfort zone that you’ve ever had to take. 

Whatever type of college you will be attending, major you’re studying, distance away from home you’ll be-- this transition in your life is one of the most transformative. 

I just graduated in May from Clemson and as the last four years have come to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect upon all that college was to me. I still remember the day I moved into McCabe Hall like it was yesterday. My mom, dad, brother, sister, Lindsay and I packed our cars and drove to Clemson. We scurried up the stairs bringing in everything we could, as fast as we could, to 214. As we walked up and down the hallways, I was confused and overwhelmed by the fact that I had absolutely no idea where I was and frustrated that I managed to get lost every time we walked into my dorm building. We unpacked the endless amount of boxes and bags and a few hours later, the once barren and bland dorm room had become my home for the next 217 days. 

My roommate, who was only but a stranger, had moved in simultaneously and her family had come to help her too. The time of the day came that we all knew would come: the time when our families would have to leave. As we all walked down the stairs, just wishing that they could stay a little bit longer, we knew it was time for them to go. Through lots of tears, hugs and more tears, Avery and I stood by the trashbins of McCabe hugging, sobbing, and waving goodbye to our families as they drove down the hill. This was the moment that I knew my roommate Avery, who I so vaguely knew, would be a forever friend and that my life had just changed forever. Our families were gone and the safety of familiarity and comfort had left with them. It was our first night of college…. what were we supposed to do now? 

Freshman year was one of the most transformative years of my life. I learned how to live away from home, how to step out of my comfort zone and meet new people, and I even got to start this blog. 

I remember thinking the very first Sunday I was at school, “My mom and dad aren’t here to wake me up and take me to church. If this is something that I want to do, I have to choose it now.” This was SUCH a big moment for me as I recognized in my tiny dorm room: I get to choose what I want my four years of college to look like. Just as I had the opportunity to choose what I wanted the last four years to look like, so do you. 

In my senior year of high school so many people told me, “These are going to be the best four years of your life!” Not only did that create an excitement in me but even more so an anxiety and a pressure that I had to make sure the next four years were perfect. I’ll let you in on a little secret, my college career was definitely not perfect and that is totally okay. 

As you move into this new season of life, I want to ask you to think about what you want to get out of your college experience. What reiterations of “the best four years of your life” have your thoughts and expectations been shaped by? I want to give you a few questions to think about as you move into this new season of life and I would really encourage you to actually think about them. Change is hard and you need pockets of stillness in your mind and heart to fully grasp what’s happening in reality. This is a lesson I learned later in life so take my advice now. Take a screenshot, jot these questions down on a piece of paper, or write them in your journal to answer. I promise that you won’t regret giving yourself some time to slow down and think about this upcoming season. 

1. Am I going to put in the effort to get plugged into a local church? Who can I ask to go with me?

2. What are some core values I would like to see in my friends?

3. Where am I going to seek out my community? 

4. What are three goals that I can write down and see every day that I want to accomplish this semester or during my freshman year? 

5. How can I be intentional about setting aside time to spend time with the Lord daily? Is it better for me to wake up early and have my quiet time then or do I want to wind down my day talking with Him, or maybe both? 

Now that I’ve given you some food for thought, I also wanted to give you five pieces of wisdom that I learned during my time in college. I hope that these are anchoring and you will take them with you as you start your journey. 

• Change is inevitably going to happen in your life, but it’s your choice how you react to it. (Read Romans 12:2)

• Surround yourself with people who love the Lord more than they love you. (Read Proverbs 13)

• Check your motives and where your attention goes more often than you think. We are flesh and blood and flesh craves sin more than the Spirit. Whichever one you choose to feed through little decisions over time is the one that will grow stronger. Find a sister in Christ to hold you accountable. (Read Galatians 1:10 & Galatians 5)

• Pay attention to what you’re putting in your heart for it will be manifested in the ways you talk, treat others, your expressions, how you handle stress, and your attitude. This includes, but is not excluded to: music, what sounds you listen to on TT/reels, what you choose to look at, and who you spend your time with. (Proverbs 4:23) 

• The ways of the world are especially loud in college but stand firm and use each moment as a Gospel sharing opportunity. Ask the Lord to place a person on your heart who is in one of your classes and move forward by building a relationship with them. You don’t have to be their best friend but be intentional about how you spend your time with them. Choose to sit beside them in class, ask them questions about their life, talk about your faith whenever the opportunity arises, invite them over when your friends hangout, and love them like Jesus loves us. It’s simple but so impactful. (Read Matthew 28)

From one sister in Christ to another, I am beyond excited for you to embark upon your college career! I met some of my closest and dearest friends in college and I pray and hope that you will too. College friendships are a different kind of sweet; cherish the time you get to spend with your people while you get to live in close proximity. Clemson became my home away from home, but more than the place itself, the people are what made college so special. Treasure each friendship and love them well. And while you’re away at school having so much fun and meeting all of these really awesome people, don’t forget to call back home and even visit every once and a while. Never forget who the Lord had made you to be-- you are fearfully and wonderfully made!

To the incoming college freshman, what a great opportunity you have before you.