#DearFreshmanMe: A Letter to Freshmen

Freshman year of both high school and college is a time filled with anxiety or pure excitement. Some go in with a list of fears while others don’t even break a sweat. Being a freshman is the chance of a new start, at a new school, surrounded by new people.  What’s next is unexpected but the experience is all you choose to make of it.

If you could go back in time and give your freshman self a pep talk, advice or what to look out for, what would you say?

Below is a letter I wrote to my 17-year-old college freshmen self. If you’re more of a visual person, watch the video.

Dear Freshman Self,

It’s your future you talking to you, what’s up girl?!

In about five years you’ll be six months out of college with 10 dollars in your bank account trying to figure out what your next step is in life making YouTube videos—yes, you’re still making YouTube videos, but don’t freak out though ’cause you know things always work out for itself, I mean you got to college. Let me give you some advice and a little heads up on what to expect for the next couple of years.

First of all, that weave in your head? Say buh-bye to Bundle Betty, she won’t be around much longer. Girl you gon start rocking an afro soon. Then eventually, you’re gonna do that one thing to your hair that you’d thought you’d never do… dreads! You’re also gonna stop eating meat soon, so hasta la vista to Fried Chicken Wednesday in the cafe!

I know what you’re probably thinking, “what the heck is wrong with me?” Nothing’s wrong with you, you’re just growing up and wising up on some things that’s all. Ok, and I probably shouldn’t tell you this but you and bae… y’all gon break up. I won’t tell you when though.

As far as school goes, I know you may not be feeling FSU like that, but I need you to understand that the grass ain’t always green on the other side. Problems travel with you, you gotta work on you first if you expect anything to be different. So stop being so pressed about transferring schools and soak up what this school has to offer you and live in the moment. Get involved and don’t be afraid to go after leadership positions on campus. If you don’t do it now, it’s gonna be way harder to do it later on in college.

I know, it’s tough. You have this huge vision and desire to be somebody important and do big things but you’re so afraid of what people think. That actually goes away about halfway through college once you start discovering yourself more.

Another thing I’m gonna tell you is that you need to start looking for internships, like, today. I need you to do at least one every year, so start looking for one to do over the summer. Might save me some time when I’m tryna start this career, you know what I mean?

You gon be fine though girl. Stay focussed and do you, you got this.

No matter how old you are, if you’ve been through your freshman year of high school or college, write a letter to him or her.  Read it on camera and post the video on YouTube or social media using the hashtag #DearFreshmanMe.

Not only is this letter a reflection of how far you’ve come but a guide to freshmen who may need to hear it now.