10 Tips for Finding Your Way as a Freshman

     Congratulations, you have successfully, or just barely, made it through the toughest yet easiest four years of your life. Whether you enjoyed high school or not, you are about to set sail on a new adventure that is unlike anything you've done yet.
     You may be so excited and ready you can't stand. For some of you, you may be so nervous you don't think you're going to make it. I remember feeling both of these emotions. But it didn't take long for me to realize that this was going to be the start of something wonderful!
     Now, I may be a little biased because I haven't missed high school at all, but these are truly the best days of your life. And to help guide you a little in this new territory, here are my helpful hints for embracing your new found freedom.

1. Learn to be fine being by yourself.

     Whether you're starting a new job or going to college, you're going to learn that you are quickly going to have more time to yourself than you may have realized. This is a big blessing in disguise! 

     During this time, you really get to figure out who you are away from friends, family, bosses, professors, etc. Embrace the silence and the time to think. If you get married and have kids one day, this silence will be long gone!

My freshman year at Southern Miss.

2. You're parents don't have to know everything you do.

     This may seem like a given for many of you. But for the people like me who have always been really close to your parents, this is actually pretty hard. And it's ok. You're starting new adventures, and sometimes you need to do them on your own. And honestly, there's probably some things they aren't going to want to know about. But this is the start of you as an adult. Make good decisions, but you may want to keep some of those decisions to yourself. 

3. Spend some weekends at home.

     Now, at the same time that it's ok to do some things on your own, remember to spend some weekends at home with just your parents and siblings, if you have any. You're going to find that the next few years will go by very fast, and you don't know where you may be at the end of those years. You have envisioned living down the street from you family, when in reality, you live three states over. 

     So take a break from the weekend studying, partying, whatever, and spend a few weekends at home. I promise you, you'll enjoy the company (and your parents will, too).

4. Accept that some people will try to use you (And don't be that guy).

     The thing I HATED the most in college were people that would never come to class, and always ask for your help, or for you to do things for them. You do it because you're a freshman, and you don't want to be looked at badly. But DON'T DO IT! And this goes for A LOT of things! People will try to use you for whatever reason they may see fit, and you have to stand up to them. You'll make yourself proud, and you won't be hanging on to a relationship that was never really there anyway.

    Also, don't be the person that takes advantage of others. It may help you fit in or get what you want, but trust me, you'll be the hated person in the long run. You'll also be that person that nobody calls, texts, or hangs out with once everyone is graduated or settled. 

5. Be proud of your school or job.

     So this may not be your first choice in school or work. Or it may have been your choice, but not the "cool" place to be. Whatever the case may be, be proud of where you're at. This is the first thing you are doing after high school, and it will probably teach you more life lessons that you have learned in the last four years. Tell people where you work and what you do. Wear your school colors. Go to the games and events. And by all means, do NOT wear the school colors of "the other" school to try to show off. Trust me, people will notice. Take pride in where you're at, because you won't be getting these days back. 

My cousin and I at a Southern Miss football game. SMTTT!

6. Take a cheap trip

     You're going to probably find yourself one weekend with barely any money but with a sense of adventure. If that's the case, first call your trusty travel agent (that's me), and we'll find you the cheapest hotel for the weekend. You and your friends may be eating crackers and Cokes all weekend, but it will be some of the best trips of your life. Trust me. When you're older and on a grand vacation, you'll think back to the weekend that you stayed in the "roach motel," but had the best time of your life (until your honeymoon, of course).

7. It's ok to sleep on the library floor (Or in a few random places).

     This kind of goes with #6, but you may find yourself in a few unusual places every now and then. You may be spending some time with friends and learn the only bed is a lawn chair on the mosquito infested front porch. Or you may be working to turn in 5 papers in 5 hours, so you take the nearest floor and crash. Or, it may be 8 of you trying to fit in one hotel room, and you have to sleep in the bath tub. Again, embrace the dirty floor and take the needed nap. Eye bags and sore backs won't come for a few more years, so you're good. 

Sleeping on the floor of the Cook Library at USM. 

8. Talk to your professors or bosses (They're humans, too).

     Contrary to popular belief, your professors and bosses are humans, too. They have lives, make mistakes, and had to start somewhere. In my experience, most of them will be willing to talk to you and meet with you, especially if you are trying to get better at something. So if that class is really hard, and you need a little help, ask your professor for an office meeting. If you're wanting to improve your work or learn how to work your way up, talk to your boss. Let them know your ambitions. Most likely they will appreciate your enthusiasm. 

9.Don't be the 6th year senior because you don't want to stop partying.

     You'll likely find yourself at a few college parties during your college career. These will be great. But you'll quickly spot the "old" guy that has clearly been doing this for way too long. This also goes for hometown parties. It's easy to spot the person that's still living his "glory days" on the football field, when it's obvious he hasn't played football in a minute. 

     If you're still in college six years later, make it because you are working on your Masters or a double major. If you're at a high school party or teenage party six years later, make sure you're there to pick up your little sibling- not to attend. 

     Nobody likes the person who can't grow up or continues to relive the glory days. The whole time they're trying to stay young, they're literally missing out on new adventures in life. 

The day of my college graduation from Southern Miss '14.

10. Remember, this is the start of your best years.

     There are going to be days where you fill like the course load is too much. You're going to find yourself broke more times than not. And you're going to get discouraged that you're still a "newbie" at your job for a while. You'll make new relationships and fail relationships. You'll lose friends and gain friends. You'll think that you may never "have it all." You may even feel sometimes that you're behind everybody else. 

     Regardless of what goes on over this next year, just know that everyday you're alive, you're laying the foundation for your future. You've made it farther in life than some. So work hard, accept the day, and have fun. Life will start going by faster than you think. 

My husband, Hunter, of three years and I walking the streets in Monte Carlo, Italy.