Welcome to IU

You’re finally here. You made it through four tedious years of high school, the anxiety-packed college admission process, and the mind game that is the FAFSA. Time to take a break for the next four years, right? Absolutely not!

The final sprint to freshman year is exhausting. I remember it well. But I can tell you, without a doubt, that the next four (to six) years of your life will be the greatest, most exhausting, of your twenty-something career.

It’s difficult to give general advice about “college” because, as you will quickly find out, your time here is about much, much more than classes. But if I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this: Figure out what you want to do, and do it now. Don’t wait four years.

College is a time to take risks (hopefully calculated, well planned ones). At no other point in your life will you have the time, resources, and guidance to start a business, film a movie, or make a magazine. This is a lesson I didn’t learn for years. College is not a time to plan and prepare for your professional career; it’s the beginning of it.

I’m not saying you can’t have fun, because you will. Learn to rock climb or ballroom dance. Train for Little 500 or take a dip in Showalter Fountain. Just don’t leave your college bucket list for your last semester. Start crossing things off during Welcome Week. I’ve soaked in an opera at the Musical Arts Center, puzzled over student art at the SoFA gallery, and cheered on the Hoosiers at soccer, football, and basketball games.

Pursue your interests in major and non-major classes. The seemingly random classes I’ve taken (yoga, an English class on Jane Austen, and public speaking, to name a few) have pushed me to re-examine my interests. With so many general education requirements, there’s no reason to take boring classes. Find subjects that interest you and learn about them in new ways.

Take the time to meet new people. Go outside of your circle of friends, whether those are high school buddies, floormates, or class companions. Get out of the business school, the music school, and (in my case) the journalism school.

Indiana University is a big place and you’ll want to find a spot to call your own. But don’t forget about all of the opportunities around you. Your four years here will fly by. Mine certainly have. So take a few hours to relax (after all, you’ve worked hard to get here). Then get off Facebook and get going.