Freshman life is hard. Buckle up, your in for a ride. It doesn’t matter how solid of a plan you think you have, or how prepared you feel. Your entire life is about to change in a way you cannot fathom unless you endure it. And, I am so freaking pumped for you to enjoy the ride.
Seriously, I think you deserve a certificate at the end of your freshman year, just for making it through.
I encourage you to throw all expectations for this year out the window and take each day as it comes; because otherwise, you will be disappointed when NOTHING goes according to your plans.
I mean, don’t be an idiot… but take chances! Have so much fun and meet new people.
Your prefrontal cortex is about to develop A LOT, so you are about to see the world in an entirely new light.
The Lord already figured everything out, so allow Him to be God, and show up. Don’t fight it, I promise; His way is SO much better and will lead you to the very path you were created for…
This may be the scariest year of your life. But, know that you are so loved and there are so many people who are here for you every step of the way!
Before you know it, you will be graduating and off to your next adventures- which sounds cliche, but, OH MY GOODNESS, DOES IT GO FAST!!
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In my freshman year, I used to envy those people who seemed to have their lives all together…
You know, the people who seem to have known what they wanted to be when they grew up since the womb, picked a college, knew exactly what to major in, and BAM, they created their four-year plan…
Meanwhile, I was still trying to convince God He sent me to the wrong school and that this “Jesus school” I was forced to attend had nothing to offer me.
I’m not kidding when I tell you that I was in crisis mode every moment of every day. (Seriously ask the lady who runs the student success center… 😂)
My entire life had changed. I had no idea what I wanted to major in or what my purpose was in life.
I was constantly sitting on the edge of my seat, flipping through the pages of my Bible, praying that what God was trying to say would stand out.
When God didn’t say what I wanted to hear, I resorted to searching through every daily devotional I could find. Also, looking up the “Bible verse of the day” on several different websites, and finally, I would shuffle through all of my social media, hoping that one of the pastors I followed posted something super “here is exactly what God is telling you today.”
After all my hard work, I would review my notes from the hours of searching for answers, and without fail every freaking time… the same statements “trust me, it’s all a part of the plan, have patience, and to be still,” were written over and over- in every way these words could be phrased.
But, I didn’t like being patient or still, and I HATED not having a detailed plan. Therefore, I would ignore what God was trying to teach me and continued searching for direct answers like, “I’m calling you to do this _______, this is exactly how it’s going to happen ____, and this is what to expect along the way.”
(I mean, in my defense, at the time God sounded pretty crazy when He was saying, “you are a college freshman… run wild! Have the best time! Drive fast, take chances… Don’t worry about declaring a major, planning your future, be spontaneous, live dangerously. Stop being such a ridged control freak, eat melted cheese. All foods fit…”)
With all of that explained, freshman friends, listen to others as they declare just how okay it is not to know what you are doing. You are going to figure it all out, and this experience will shape you like nothing else.
We believe in you…
You can do hard things.
Looking back you will not believe all of the blessings you have received over the years, and you will stand in awe at just how stinking far you have come from the kiddo you once were.
Entering North Central University, I had no idea I was called to become a social worker. I never saw myself going to graduate school or working within a hospital setting. But, none of these events surprised the Lord. He had these plans for my life the entire time.
I did not have to call the shots for my life. Instead, I just had to be obedient and walk where the Lord presented opportunities.
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Hey there! I am so glad you are here. Don’t forget to like this post and follow me for additional content!
Hallie Orton 