As a Senior, What I Would Tell My Freshman Self

Ashley Page (left) and her friend, Allison White

As you near the end of college, you have a tendency to reminisce on the past: past friendships, past relationships and past failures and victories. With those moments, you often wish you could give your younger self advice: advice on school, relationships and all that accompanies your younger college years, especially freshman year.

Allie Funderburk, now a first year pharmacy student, reflects on her first semester of freshman year.

Allie Funderburk (right) with Holli Lewis

“I honestly had no idea what I was doing,” Funderburk said. “I was trying to balance studying for tests and enjoy the luxuries of sorority life; and at some points, it became unbearable, but somehow I made it.” Jokingly, she adds, “So if I can make it, anyone can.”

Freshman year is a conglomerate of headaches and heartaches and the debates in-between. You are suddenly bombarded with test, quizzes, papers and newfound responsibilities, and so begins the headache of balancing them all without losing yourself in the process.

If I could give my freshman self 10 pieces of sound advice, this is what it would be:

1. You will pass Biology 102.

2. You will make new friends, and you will lose some friends… It’s all for the greater good.

3. You will think you’ve found “the one,” and if he’s not, it’s okay. Another one will come along.

4. You will appreciate your upbringing and realize how blessed you are for it.

5. You also will appreciate your parents more than you ever thought possible.

6. Professors are there to help you… just ask.

7. You will not drop out and become a truck stop waitress.

8. In between stress and studying, find time to socialize and make the moments count, even those late night study sessions with friends. Some of the best memories are made during these times.

9. You’re never too old to call home.

10. You are strong enough, and you are meant to succeed.

Tess Groner, communicative sciences and disorders alumnus, said, “Make sure you do what makes you happy when it comes to school and relationships because at the end of the day, everything stems from your personal happiness.”

Tess Groner (right) with Bridge Leigh

With these pieces of advice, go out and do well because you were destined to be great, and no amount of tests can deter that.

Ashley Page is a senior broadcast major at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at acpage1@go.olemiss.edu.

Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram and Twitter @hottytoddynews. Like our Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…