Dear readers,

Welcome back, Wildcats! For some of you, this is your first year out of high school, which can be overwhelming between living in the dorms and navigating the newfound freedom of college life. Your freshman year is one of the most memorable of your typical four years in college. It’ll be the year you refer to when thinking about your journey to adulthood, with a new living situation, your own schedule to set and a sea of new people to meet. Understand that a lot of self-discovery happens freshman year, and many paths you take shape the rest of your college experience. 

Freshman year reveals a lot about yourself and the people you surround yourself with. Between personal priorities, schedules and habits, there may be vast differences between you and someone else. It is important to remember that handling differences with grace and level-headedness is a key part of personal growth and relationship building. Disagreements are inevitable, but they are opportunities for mature, respectful communication. Standing by your morals and attempting to resolve your disagreement with someone else shows maturity and respect for your friendship, which helps your connection flourish. Standing your ground and hearing someone out is never something to apologize for. 

It is also important to remember why you are a student at Kansas State; college is not just bar hopping and socializing. In your freshman year you are faced with academic pressure. Wrapping your head around all of your new responsibilities can be overwhelming. Having an outlined schedule and working ahead for your classes is beneficial to keep everything in line. Along with a color-coded schedule — my personal favorite — or calendar, this helps you stay organized instead of catching up during class.

On campus, there are plenty of opportunities for freshmen to utilize. Between professor office hours, Lafene Health Center and counseling services, there are plenty of people here to help you succeed. It is important to remember these resources exist and are designed for students. 

The shift from high school to college is tough to grasp, and the first few weeks are filled with temptation. It is important to remember why you are in college, and what you can do to achieve your goals. K-State is full of opportunities for freshmen, including extracurriculars, clubs and a multitude of ways to get involved on campus. However, it’s crucial to remember that the primary reason you’re here is your education. Keep academic goals in focus and surround yourself with people who support your educational journey.

Love, Libby