Dear freshmen,

Welcome to CollegeBored, where your soon-to-be-favorite-writer will be giving what I like to think of as helpful advice (take it with a grain of salt) on navigating the college admissions process! As a senior currently in application season, don’t worry, I made it through freshman year. Oh, and if there are non-freshmen reading this in the hopes of reliving the joys of freshman year before life got real, don’t be embarrassed. I’d probably be doing that too. 

Just before starting my draft of this, I spent more time than I would like to admit  filling out the same information over and over again in the Common App about residency, whether I’ve committed any crimes, and other questions I could probably recite by heart now. In fact, I am looking at the peach I am currently munching on with fear that it’ll start asking me Common App questions, too. 

You’ve probably already heard the words “Ivy League,” “Common App,” and “4.0” wanting to befriend your classmates. While it is good to have goals, please take this imaginary vacuum I am handing to you so that you can suck those thoughts out of your head. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you–you’re only 14 or 15. Now is not the time to worry about achieving a 4.33 GPA (I still haven’t met someone who has, by the way) or become captain of a sport that hasn’t even started yet. Now is the time to explore, discover your interests, and meet like-minded peers. Join all sorts of clubs at the Activities Fair (not just because of the candy), even if you are forced to handwrite your email on 30 different sign-up sheets. It’s worth it, trust me! 

I’m sure you’re saying “What about the,” wait for it, “GRADES?!” Okay, deep breaths. I’ve got you. Sure, I remember when I got a 64% on my first Earth Science test (I couldn’t nail the different types of radiation, sue me), but you know what else I remember? The countless laughs and memories made with those around me, the late nights on the phone with a friend who was trying to explain how to write geometric proofs, and so much more. When you’re a senior, you’ll realize that what you thought was so important in freshman year is actually just another moment in your long high school career.

Most importantly, be sure to surround yourself with people who push you, inspire you, and are there for you. I am grateful for those who stuck by my side through thick and thin (a lot of thick, #bathroomcryingsquad). Even after freshman year, you’ll meet new friends, classmates, and teachers, and your relationships with them will only become stronger. I am who I am today thanks to these people. Fifteen years from now, I will not remember that Earth Science test, but I’ll remember every individual who made me laugh, helped me wipe the tears, and made me want to show up to school every day.

This year, please don’t be afraid of a peach asking you Common App questions. When the time comes, you can worry about that. For now, make the most of this time because you won’t get it back (unless people are lying to me). I’m rooting for you each day. Be sure to tune into CollegeBored! In the meantime, I’m going to get another peach.

Wishing you the best,

Nikki