Yes. I get intense when I hit my ratchet Dallas dance moves. On top of someone’s couch. I had fun in college AND graduated. It’s possible.

FRESHMEN!!!!!!!! Wow. The class of 2016, huh? The years straight up Usain Bolted my ass. Just the other day, it seems, it was August 2008 and I was makin’ my way downtown walkin fast finding my way around campus for the first time.

It’s normal to feel nervous about your freshman year, especially if you’re moving away from home. Personally, I was ready for the plunge. I busted my butt in high school to ensure an easy admissions process, and I was positive that UT Austin was where I wanted to go. My freshman year, I met the majority of the friends I currently have, I worked for the student newspaper, and I hit that party trail HEAVY – something I never got to do in high school. Freedom!!!! Right?

Your first year is crucial because it sets the tone for the rest of your college career. Habits are formed. Routines as set. You figure out what works, what doesn’t and proceed accordingly. Universities pull out all the stops to attract new students. Now that you’ve made it here, the race ain’t over. It’s just begun, my friend. *suspenseful music*

Here’s my advice to the you, Bright-Eyed College Freshman. Take heed. The race that is higher education? It’s a marathon, not a 400m. So yeah. Listen to the Kenyan. #pow

TL;DW

DON’T SLACK. Now’s the time to clock in a high GPA because your coursework will only get harder. Take advantage of the fact that you’re taking general classes with a relatively light workload (nobody likes grading 400 English papers). If you’re in a deliberately difficult weed out class, get a tutor FAST. Put in the work now so you have a cushion later on.

PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. To make friends, especially in a big school like mine, you gotta step out of your comfort zone. I met the person who is now one of my best friends because I went to a fashion show try out. WTF I look like walking in a fashion show??? It wasn’t my scene at all, but I bit the bullet and look ma, I GOT FRIENDS! It will be awkward and uncomfortable, but don’t you think your future soulmates are worth it?

FINANCIAL AID AIN’T REAL $$$. You over here ridin’ around and gittin’ it with BORROWED MONEY, man. Be smart. Loans are in the business of giving you more loans whether or not you need them. Calculate your expenses and only take out loans for what you need. Same goes for grant money. God forbid some dead person’s family dished out $1000 to you just so you could buy some shoes. A new computer for school? Aight. A flatscreen TV for your dorm???? C’mon son.

ALWAYS ASK IF YOU MUST BUY THE TEXTBOOKS. Mess around, and you’ll end up paying the equivalent of a car payment for some books. Aint nobody got time for that! I admire the professors who are upfront about whether or not the textbook is necessary. Sometimes it’s just on the syllabus as a resource or formality, other times they recommend a newer addition when an older one would suffice. Ask.

LEARN TO SAY NO. LIVE A BALANCED LIFE. You can’t go to every party even if you tried. And you shouldn’t. There’s a time and place for everything, and at the end of the day, higher education is too expensive to not at least get that diploma.

Good luck this semester! Work hard, play hard. You’ll do fine.