Advice to Our First-Year Selves
Since coming to Tufts, I have experienced and learned a lot from the classes I’ve taken, the extra-curricular activities I’ve been involved in, and the students and faculty that I’ve had the opportunity to meet. Recently, I was reflecting on how different my freshman year would have been if I had the knowledge that I do now, and I pushed myself to think of the advice I wish I could have given myself my freshman year at Tufts (or advice that I wish I would’ve listened to and reminded myself of more). I decided to ask some of my senior friends at Tufts what advice they would give themselves since we’re all about to leave and are already reflecting on our time at Tufts, and I collected them to share. So, here they are:
“Take time off if you can. It’s not a race.”
- Alejandra Garcia ’19, History and American Studies
“Do not let the fear of uncertainty prevent you from accomplishing your goal. You are in control of your own path; make the best out of it!”
- Hernán Gallegos ’19, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Education
“Never be afraid to ask for something from Tufts; they’re here for you, that’s literally their job, asking never killed nobody. You deserve to demand the same things from this university as anyone else does. Don’t struggle just because you’re afraid to ask for help.”
- Guadalupe Garcia ’19, Architectural Studies and Latino Studies
“1. Never for a moment second guess your admission. You earned your acceptance. 2. Invest time in your friendships. You’ll need them by your side when times get rough.”
- Bubakar Bah ’19, International Relations
“If you made it to Tufts, then you deserve to be here. Remind yourself of that fact every day if you have to. Repeat it to yourself like a mantra, but never forget that you belong.”
- Ashley Alphonse ’19, Political Science and French
“If I could talk to my freshman year self right now, I would tell myself to follow what I desire to do rather than to allow myself to be influenced by people who do not see what I see in myself. I realize now that my dreams are endless and letting myself follow them with no doubt is something I wish I was more aware of as I began my college journey.”
- Charlene Brew ’19, Child Study & Human Development and Pre-Med track
“Your major is not nearly as important as the skills and relationships you build. Focus on meaningful experiences, both professionally and socially, rather than padding up your schedule. Your time is too valuable for you not to enjoy your college experience and make the most of it. That being said, also make sure you get enough sleep, work out, and eat regularly. You belong here and are going to do great things.”
- Joel Alves ’19, Community Health and Portuguese
“Celebrate the little things. You’ve worked so hard to get here! And there’s so many things left to do, but you will get them done. Don’t take the little victories for granted. They all add up. You will be amazing.”
- Lupita Rodriguez ’19, American Studies
“I would tell my freshman self not to worry and that all good things come in time. Try to enjoy things more and think about now more instead of next.”
- Kayla Williams, ’19, Environmental Studies (Track II) and Anthropology
And my advice is to just listen to those who lift you up, who tell you that you’re enough and worth it and deserve to be here, who love you for who you are, and who support you. These friends will be a part of your life forever (or for as long as you want them to be), and the positivity that they radiate for you is incomparable. After reading all of my friends’ advice quotes, I realized that I have heard all of it before, but it took me a while to let it actually soak in. Sometimes it does take time, but I feel so much happier now that I know all of these things. So, just listen to the positivity and don’t let the negativity into your life; you get to choose who’s in your life and who’s not.