Dear Future College Students

Dear future college students I see on campus tours,

First of all, a big congratulations is in order for getting accepted into college. Whether or not you have decided to accept the offer to attend Central Connecticut and join the Blue Devils family, you have been recognized as a potential student and the university sees you as someone who has what it takes to attend the school.

Your four years of hard work and eight-hour school days are behind you, and you are now gearing up to embark on a new and crazy adventure that is the college life. Whether you are excited, extremely terrified or somewhere in between, these are normal feelings to experience during this rather large transition in your teenage life. It is perfectly okay to feel anxious and eager all at the same time, so don't panic when you feel this sense of being overwhelmed.

Before coming here, it's normal to have many expectations. You might be coming here because of the reputation of the school academics, or simply because you want to make a lot of new friends. Or it could be because you want to start building up a fantastic resume for future job applications. Whatever your reason may be, don't worry about losing your way.

It definitely gets stressful from moment to moment when you feel swamped by homework or the loneliness that occurs when you can not seem to find the specific people you want to be friends with. But just know that there are many people who want and can guide you toward a path that seems fitting for you. Talking to a counselor, joining a club or even giving your family a call are all ways to get advice in knowing that the world is not against you when you might think it is. There are many people on your side.

You also may be wondering if the certain myths about college living are true. Will your grades really drop? Do students drink and party all the time? Do you really have to become best friends with the first people you meet in your orientation group? Does the "Freshman 15" really happen? While some of these myths do hold true to a certain extent, you do not need to let them define you.

Grade drops are common, but do not expect the worst, and have some faith in yourself. There might be moments when you feel like your grades are not to your standards, but after coming up with a study plan, going to your professor's office hours and scheduling time to your advantage, your grades will always have the opportunity to fix themselves. As for drinking and partying, you do not need to feel pressured into partaking in college partying if that is not what you want. There will be many people who will and will not agree with your lifestyle, whether it is occasionally drinking or the absence of it. Either way, it is up to you and no one else.

As for those you meet in your orientation group, don't beat yourself up for not automatically becoming best friends with the people you meet during your first week. There will be many times for mingling, whether that be in your dorm hall, dining hall or simply meeting friends within your classes. In regards to the "Freshman 15," there is no denying that a little weight gain is possible during your time on campus eating dining food. However, there are many recreational facilities on campus that can help you with exercise, in addition to creating a routine food plan to your preference of healthy foods.

And if you have not decided if this is or isn't the college for you, don't worry. Each school does have a different reputation; however, there are a lot of commonalities of university life everywhere. You will meet people you do and do not like, you will take classes you enjoy and those you find challenging, and most importantly, you will grow as you learn to adapt to a different way of living.

This will happen at any university you decide to attend and remember that you are not making a life decision here. Plenty of people transfer to a different university when they feel that the original one they commit to is ultimately not the right fit for them. So whether or not you decide to commit to CCSU, do not be afraid in making the "wrong" choice.

No matter where you end up, you will have an unforgettable experience that you will remember for years to come, with people guiding you every step of the way.