Advice for Underclassmen

College is hard. Trying to figure out who you are, what you want, and where you want your life to go at the ripe age of 18, 19, 20, 21 is a lot. I am a perfect example of this. I went to college hours away from home, knowing nobody, and hated it so much I begged my parents to let me transfer. I thought that would fix all my problems. But when I did transfer, I still struggled with issues—making friends, picking a major, figuring out who I was. I have never felt such turmoil until I went through college. It sucks, but looking back, I am grateful for how things planned out.

I don’t want to give cliche, cheesy advice, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. Bumps in the road, unexpected issues, and disappointments are a part of life. I wish I had stressed less about these things. Life never turns out exactly how we hope it does, so gratitude and appreciation for what you have is critical for pushing through hard times. Things will get better, new people will be brought into your life, and different experiences will be made. Embrace the good, the bad, the fun, and the struggle. College is a crazy time in your life—don’t compare your experience to anyone else’s.