Dear Freshman

Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027

(6/2024) No one prepares you for the emotions you will feel as you move into your first college dorm. No one prepares you for the feeling you get walking to your first class as a college student. No one prepares you for the responsibility that rests on your fragile, naive shoulders. Nevertheless, the things you will experience during your freshmen year of college will be some of the most important life lessons you will ever have to face.

One thing my mother told me on my move-in day was that everyone was in the same boat as me. None of us knew each other, we were all leaving our families, and we were all in this together. Truer words have never been spoken. That being said, the fear of the unknown slowly began to dissipate.

Going into college, it felt like I only had my mom to lean on. There are so many things I wish I knew to help me get through it more smoothly. This brings me to share some things I wish I knew going into my freshmen year of college.

First, and perhaps most importantly, never be afraid to ask for help; the only one you end up hurting is yourself. If there is one thing I’ve noticed about the Mount community, it is that everyone wants you to succeed. The Mount has so many ways to aid you in your success during this difficult transition from high school to college. From peer tutors, office hours, the Writing Center, CSES, and even your classmates, the only thing stopping you from achieving your goals is you.

Second, call your loved ones. You aren’t the only one going through this transition, and it’s important to surround yourself with people who’ll love and support you through it all. You’ll have your good days, and you’ll have your share of bad days, but make sure to communicate how you feel to people you can trust. Keeping it all inside will only hurt you.

Third, go to events held on campus. I know sometimes you won’t feel like it, and sometimes your bed just sounds really, really comfortable after a long day, but getting out and having fun is essential for you to be successful. Being able to balance your school life and social life is the most crucial part of college. Besides, going to events on campus is a great way to meet new people and destress from your assignments for a bit.

Fourth, create a routine for yourself. Set an alarm every morning so that you are making the most of your day. Don’t fall victim to a bad sleep schedule; it will only create more stress and anxiety. Making sure to incorporate three meals a day into your schedule is important. Luckily for you, your meal plan is for three meals a day during your first semester. Don’t be like me and eat one meal and maybe a cosmic brownie a day. Fueling your body and mind is going to help you make wise decisions and learn better.

Fifth, explore the areas around you. Emmitsburg is a small, small town, but there are so many neat things around you to do on the weekend with your friends. One of my favorite things to do freshman year was visit Gettysburg. Walking the battlefield, visiting museums, eating at unique restaurants, it was such a nice breath of fresh air only ten minutes away from campus. Another common thing people do on weekends is visit Frederick. While I hate driving in Frederick, there are still so many things to do. Plus, it’s only 25 minutes from campus. Of course, the Mount also has several sports games on campus that you could attend, sometimes being on campus is easier and more comfortable.

Sixth, don’t be afraid to try new things. This one sounds cliche, I know. However, the Mount has so many extracurricular things to be a part of I can guarantee that you’ll find something. Don’t be afraid to get involved in as many things as you’d like. You might even surprise yourself.

At this point in my letter to you, I’m going to entertain a series of much less "serious" tokens of advice. Some of them might not apply to you, but I will still share them anyway.

Seventh, always get your food to go. You want your food to stay hot for as long as possible, and you never know how much you’ll eat. At least this way, you can take your leftovers back to your room to eat later.

Eighth, doing your laundry on weekdays is easier than doing it on the weekends for obvious reasons. The washing machines and dryers are very particular, so make sure you take care while washing your clothes, and be courteous to others. Don’t leave your clothes in the machines for more than 10 minutes after they are done.

Ninth, schedule a time once a week to clean your room. Living in a dirty dorm room hurts your productivity and makes you overall less comfortable. Wash your dishes, vacuum your rugs, clean your desk, etc. You will feel so much better afterward.

Tenth, find a place to study that works for you. The Mount has countless places for you to study aside from your dorm room. I grew quite fond of studying in the Mount Cafe since I tend to be a loud typer and was more comfortable. The library has several tables, quiet areas, classrooms, and couches for you to study. The Knott Academic Center has empty classrooms for you to use, the Honors lounge, and tables and chairs throughout the building. I am positive you will find something that works for you.

All of this being said, I want to leave you with one last tip. Be confident in yourself, you can do this. At the Mount, we are one big community that helps and supports one another. You got this.