It can be a daunting experience when you set foot on campus grounds for the first time. You’re probably going to be in sensory overload for the remainder of the day. You’ll see fellow students who you’ve never met or recognize, shuffling to their first classes. You’ll probably pay a visit to one of the campus’ map markers or ask someone for directions. You’ll feel a different air in one of our pristine buildings, a breeze you’re not quite used to. Some of you will feel anxious, a handful of you might be indifferent and reserved, while others will feel a spike of adrenalized excitement. Entering a college is like stepping through a new door in life. You’re now in a clean, fresh chapter and it can be difficult being the ink that’ll have to spill on a blank white page with something meaningful. But the fantastic news is that you’re the farthest thing from alone.

Your experiences are felt across the campus community. The faculty, staff, and student morale here at Farming State College is top-notch, literally. The graduating class of 2018 had a 93% approval rating towards FSC, with a special liking for the faculty. Practically everyone will not hesitate to extend a hand and offer friendship or help to you.

You are the prospective students who are going to eventually have to usher in more students. You’re tasked with an ocean of responsibilities. You have to maintain good grades, provide upkeep to your dorm if you aren’t commuting, dive into extracurricular activities to strengthen your resume, start networking with mentors, adhere to the responsibilities of your part-time job (if you have one), and all while doing this I’m going to remind you have fun. When they say these are best years of your life there is some truth to that.

It sounds simple, maybe even repetitive, but remember to smile and laugh. College can be stressful for students who don’t maintain and organize a proper schedule. Those who don’t put in much effort might find themselves at a loss. It’s important to stay on top of things, and be the calm before the storm. When mid-terms and finals week approaches, you should develop healthy study habits, study groups, and even get a tutor if needed. A little effort makes a world of difference.

To relive some of that inevitable stress and anxiety, it’d be good to isolate that thing you absolutely love doing. Drawing, reading, writing, dancing, listening to music, exercising, hanging out with friends. Do it when you can, let your passion fuel your school responsibilities. That’s what we call a life-hack.

It’s the little things that make college an amazing experience. The creativity in the Visual Communications building can inspire you to connect with young artists. The Business Department provides a continuous string of opportunities to sharpen your career opportunities. The Writing Department can take an unsure, disorganized piece and bring out the buried talent that you already had. It’s the little things like the multi-ethnic flags circling the campus’ fountain that make you feel represented, makes you feel less alone.

It’s little things like the endless choices of clubs that you can join like the Multicultural Club or even the radio station for FSC that can bring out the best in you. It’s the little things like the department heads sending you emails to help you in your academic journey, or the tireless work of your advisors who want to shape you into a worthwhile marketable graduate. My point is that you may feel alone at first, but make no mistake, you’re entering a community with open, caring arms.

You’ll be surrounded by intimate classrooms with nuanced professors, a flock of fluttering cars, and individuals with uncertain futures just like you. But after the dust is cleared and when you finally get a moment to yourself and you can say, “Holy cow, I’m in college,” you can say to yourself it is the little things that make college into an amazing experience.

My first college experience was met with anxiety and nervousness. I went away to school and didn’t know anyone at the university. It was strange for me to be away from my family home and watch after myself. But soon I developed a small friendship with a circle of like-minded students and began to come out my shell. Those types of cases are clichés for a reason. They are common when it comes to the college experience, but remember, it’s the little things.