An Open Letter to Those Heading To College

Hey seniors! I’m sure you’re overjoyed right now. I’m sure you just can’t wait to get out of that high school that you despise for whatever reason, no matter how silly it really is.

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but college is no miracle cure.

You don’t arrive to college and suddenly find that all your issues disappear.

College is not easy, academically or emotionally.

First of all, the days of doing the minimum amount of work to be successful are over. You will have to work for it.

But honestly. I think the biggest lessons taught in college are from outside of the classroom.

Prepare to be thrown out of your comfortable bubble you’ve built for yourself at home. Who am I kidding? You can’t prepare for this. Trust me, it’s going to happen.

However, being put into uncomfortable situations is the best way to learn about who you really are.

Each and every day you will be confronted with something that will challenge your way of thinking. This may be a small gesture you notice on campus or a big picture idea taught in a lecture. Embrace this.

What do I mean? Actually give these ideas thought. I’m not telling you to blindly believe anything. Please don’t do that. What you need to do is trust your values you were raised with and make an adult decision on these topics. Even if that differs from what you may have been lectured about at home.

Don’t be discouraged if you struggle to make these decisions. It’s normal. Don’t let anyone force you to stand for something you aren’t sure you believe in. Take your time and figure it out for yourself.

In short, college isn’t easy. It isn’t that dreamland where all problems disappear and liquor is bountiful. Well… at least one of those statements isn’t true.

Every few weeks a parody twitter account collects a few thousand retweets with this tweet:  “College is a nightmare wrapped in a daydream.”

There’s no need to be that dramatic, but prepare to be challenged. Out of those challenges will rise the person you really are.

Good luck.

-Ethan May