by: Emma Glover
Four years ago, I walked into my residence hall with boxes, nerves, and a million questions
about what college would be like. Today, as a proud SIU graduate, I finally have the
answers. As the semester begins, I want to share a letter to my freshman self and possibly
help someone else start their journey, too
Dear Freshman Self,
Take a deep breath! You are about to start something really special.
Right now, you’re nervous, excited, and wondering if you’re truly ready for college. Spoiler
alert: you are. By the time you walk across the graduation stage with your bachelor’s
degree in English Education, you’ll look back and laugh at how worried you were. College
will fly by faster than you can imagine, so try not to rush it. Slow down and enjoy the little
things. The dining hall food might not always get enough appreciation, but it is actually
pretty great! The noodles and beef at The Grill at Trueblood are so good. Trust me, you’ll
miss not having to cook one day.
You’re going to grow in ways you don’t expect. You’ll learn how to speak up, when to listen,
and how to handle the kind of challenges that make you stronger and more confident.
You’ll discover what it means to be a leader, a friend, and an educator. The best part is that
you will become more you than ever before.
Joining Greek Life will be one of the best decisions you make. You’ll find community,
support, and some of your best friends. They will be the kind who turn ordinary days into
your favorite memories. Stay outgoing, keep saying yes to new experiences, and don’t be
afraid to introduce yourself first. You are about to meet people who will change your life.
Cheerleading will continue to be one of your biggest passions. You will cheer at SIU, create
unforgettable moments, and realize that your love for the sport doesn’t end after college.
In fact, that spark will inspire you to dream about becoming a cheer coach one day. Hold
on to that joy.
Your on-campus job is going to be a huge part of your journey, too. It will keep you involved,
teach you responsibility, and give you a place that feels like a home base, even during the
busy weeks of student teaching. Stick with it when you can as it will become one of the
most important pieces of your routine.
After graduating, you will begin your teaching career and once you complete your first year
in the classroom, you’ll start online classes to work toward your master’s degree. You’ll be
balancing a lot, but will handle it with the same determination you brought into freshman
year.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to just be yourself. Your kindness, your energy, your
determination, your loud laugh—those will take you far. Trust your instincts, give yourself
grace, and know that you’re doing better than you think.
So go ahead and walk onto campus with confidence. Your future is brighter than you can
imagine.
With love,
Your Future Self and Proud SIU Grad
