Advice for future Lynn Lax freshmen

Let’s get one thing straight, when someone tells you that your freshman year of college will be the best experience of your life, believe them. I can attest to this wholeheartedly, new experiences, new friends, a new city, and a new school are all ingredients to create memories that will last a lifetime. Cherishing the new moments that you experience will be the key to enjoying your new life in college, and trust me, because I lost my freshman year. One thing I will preach is to take in every new lesson and memory that you gain your first year of college. Coming into Lynn University in the fall of 2019 had me unprepared for what was to come in the winter of 2020, which quickly stole away everything I had began to love and care about in the blink of an eye. So yes, it is true, cherish the happy times and the ones around you, because it can all change in an instant. Adding onto this, it is crucial to remember where you are now located, as every city and town comes with its own hazards and threats. Coming from a small, dry, tourist town in New Jersey that never experiences violence or any danger to its citizens, to a larger city in Florida that has a higher population and more dangers than I have seen growing up was a complete culture shock. Learning how to protect myself and others was crucial to ensuring I could have a safe college experience. Never travel alone, never walk alone, and always be alert. If you enjoy partying, cover your drink, never take anything from a stranger, and never leave your group. People always have ulterior motives and look for a vulnerable college freshmen to perpetrate them onto; Do everything in your power to protect yourself and those around you. Lastly, you will get homesick. This will be one of the hardest things that you learn as you experience college. Home is far, hours away, and your friends and family are not a step away anymore. Adapting to this change is a long road, but as you develop new relationships and meet people who love and care about you, will turn your college into your home away from home. Overall, never forget to HAVE FUN!