A Letter to Freshman Me

4/29/2022

After four years at York College these soon-to-be graduates have a few things they would say to their freshman selves. Future freshmen take note of their advice.

Freshman Carys

Carys Pitman

Dear freshman me,
Take it slow. I know you are sitting on the steps of McGehee right now dizzy from all the new people and places. In the coming weeks, you will be overwhelmed with the number of names and assignments and lack of what seems the right time frame to be making friends. Take it easy, stress a little bit less. You’ve got this under your belt. You haven’t failed before, and your worth is not based on your grades or how many friends you have in your social circle.

Don’t overwork yourself, don’t get burned out like you’re going to. Talk to the teachers! It is always worth asking. Work on one thing at a time, and don’t sell away all of your time just for the scholarships. It is worth the monetary loss to spend a little bit of extra time with people.

Senior Carys

It is okay to cry. It’s okay to feel a little homesick, even if you don’t miss home. It’s okay to not know what you’re doing, it’s okay to not know where you’re going, and it’s even okay to not know who you are yet. That said, don’t let go of your values. Don’t pretend to be someone else just to make others happy. Keep close to what matters most and hold dear to those who value the same things but don’t be afraid to branch out either.

Find the right crowd instead of getting bitter about the wrong people letting you down. You don’t have to get to know everyone all at once. Invest in deeper relationships with a few. Your friend group will change after freshman year. It might even change after sophomore year. You don’t have to impress anybody. Nobody cares about what your hair looks like. Nobody will notice that pimple. Find a good hobby! Read more books for fun! Don’t forget you enjoy learning.

Last but not least, remember you are in a time of transition. Don’t make any life-changing decisions at this moment. You are naïve. Don’t let people take advantage of that. Hold your innocence close to your chest, take pride in purity, and “guard your heart, for from it flows the spring of life” just like dad quotes from Proverbs. You can do this. I love you, younger me, and I can’t wait for your growth to come.

Grace and Peace,
Carys Pitman '22

During her four years here, Carys has been a member of the competitive cheerleading team, Beta Beta Sigma social club, Concert Choir, Alpha Chi Honor Society and participated in main stage and one act theatre productions as well as SyncFest and Songfest.

Freshman Mikayla

Mikayla Brant

To Freshman Mikayla,

I am so proud of you for choosing to take on the challenge of higher education. These next four years will be a roller coaster, but I know you are going to crush whatever comes your way. There will be times of pain, sadness, and anger. Remember that forgiveness helps you have peace with those situations. There will be times of joy, gratitude, and love. Cherish those for as long as you can.

Senior Mikayla

Remember to find a group of friends who encourage you, push you, challenge you, and try to help you be the best Christian woman you can be. Once you have found a great group of friends, invest in them and cherish who they are. When things become difficult, lean into those relationships and know that they will be there when you need them.

I want you to know that you are enough. Who you are is enough; all that you are is enough. God has called you to be a light, and girl, let it shine. York College will always be a special place and you need to invest in the Christian experience you can be a part of. God is working on York’s campus and you can be a part of that change and growth. Step up and be a leader where God calls you to be. Do hard things because you can and when you can’t, God is there to help you. Learn to be more confident in yourself and remember that your worth doesn’t come from people or the things you are a part of. When you fall, ask God to help you get back up because He will.

You are not alone; I promise you are not alone. Invest in your relationships with your professors because they will become some of your favorite people on campus. Invest in the staff because they love you more than you know. Try new things and be involved in the YC experience. I’m so excited about all the adventures you will endure and all the experiences you will have. Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. You got this. You’re a BOSS! Let’s GO!

Love,
Mikayla Brant '22

As a student, Mikayla was a member of the competitive cheer team, S.T.E.M. Society, Celebration Singers, Concert Choir, York Campus Ministries, Student Government Association, Residences Life and a Genesis (new student orientation) coordinator.

Freshman Moriah

Moriah Toledo

Dear Freshman Mo,

As you are about to graduate college within the next few weeks you are probably wondering about what lies ahead of you. It’s crazy to think that my four years spent at York College are gone just like that. As I am writing this I am also reflecting on all the lessons I learned throughout my college experience. However, knowing what I know now, there are a lot of things I wish I were able to tell you back then, especially after first stepping foot on campus. College was an experience of many ups and downs, a lot of happiness and sadness, a lot of friends coming and going, and you can finish the rest.

Senior Moriah

For me I saw it as a learning experience, I am honored to say that I was able to find my true self here at YC, a competent and courageous leader, a mentor, a sympathetic friend, and overall adhering to my ethics. I also saw it as a place to grow spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. One of my mentors, Nick DiToro, once said, “I provide for you the opportunity to learn. What you do with that opportunity is not my fault.” He allowed me to grow as a person, as a student, and professionally. And I would have to say, looking back from freshman year to now, I've seen a lot of growth and change within myself. Freshman me was quiet and stayed in her room all the time, now senior me is taking on leadership roles and inspiring others.
Just remember this:

Surround yourself with good people, those who want to see you succeed
They say to be involved within the campus but make sure to handle what only you can don’t overwork yourself
Make sure to put in the time and effort needed for classes and sports (if involved) all the hard work will pay off
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there are people out there that are willing to help and be therefore you
Put God first in everything you do

And lastly, don’t be afraid of change, change is good. Be willing and open to change because you will never know how a small change can lead to a huge change in perspective. In the end, you will find your purpose in life, why God opened up this amazing opportunity for you at YC. Thank you York College, Softball, and PBL for everything you have done to transform me into the person I am today.

Yours Sincerely,
Moriah Toledo '22

During her four years as a student, Moriah was involved in Delta Chi Alpha social club, a member of the softball team, Professional Business Leaders chapter. Moriah is a national champion in Human Resource Management for PBL and will be competing at nationals again in June 2022.

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