You guys. I don’t know how, but baby sister Christina will be off to college this fall!! She recently decided to go to BYU, and I am very excited for her! As much as I love USU, Christina at BYU feels wonderfully right.
If you know Christina, you know that she doesn’t really need any advice. (For example, see this birthday tribute I wrote to her three years ago.) Not only is she kind, sociable, smart, and funny, she also is a whiz with a sewing machine, a magician in the kitchen, and master of time management. Basically, she is ready. So ready to live the adorable freshman life.
But because I want to (and because I know she’ll be gracious enough to read it) I have some advice for Christina anyway. I’ve thought about this quite a bit—what would help Christina navigate challenges and also have the time of her life at school?
Well, self, I’m glad you asked. I have much to say.
1. Welcome a Water Bottle into Your Heart
Nothing about your relationship with your water bottle should be casual. Take it everywhere. COMMIT. Keep it safe within an inch of your life.
That is a bit dramatic. But my first bit of advice is to get a large-ish water bottle (around 32 oz.) and always keep it with you. Drinking enough water helps you have energy, think clearly, be in a better mood, and about a million other benefits.
Having a cute water bottle will also help you avoid drinking too much soda. I had many friends who thought they could only function through college if enough caffeine was pumping through their veins. Not true!
Some people treat drinking soda everyday as the norm, and I would advise you to stay away from that. Recent studies have shown that even just two cans of soda a week is too much and “can effectively erase the heart health gains made during exercise.”
So make soda a special occasion instead! Enjoy it when the moment is fun and right, but keep your water bottle handy.
2. Getting Enough Sleep is Cool!
College life can be busy. But try not to let it be too busy for sleep. Some of my friends believed that being sleep deprived was just part of the college landscape. They seemed to think that no one goes to bed at a reasonable hour, so why try?
But enough sleep makes life so much better. You may have late nights (either from homework or because you are too buzzed about a new boy to sleep), and that’s totally OK. But generally speaking, getting enough sleep is the cool thing to do.
You hereby have permission to go to bed by 10 p.m. Your mental health will thank you most deeply!!
3. Learn How to Cook a Veggie in a Way You Like
You now get to be in charge of your own meals! Which is so fun! My one piece of advice here is to learn how to cook a vegetable that you genuinely enjoy eating. That may sound impossible to some, but you can do it! Blanched broccoli with salt and lemon, roasted asparagus, brussel sprouts, cauliflower—there are more options than you think! Do some Googling and find one veggie you can make a normal (happy) part of your life. And veggies are quite cheap, so don’t worry about that!
4. Get Your Little Bootie Movin’
I’ve said this before, but I consider one of my superpowers to be that I don’t hate exercise. And you know why I don’t hate it? Because I found a way of doing it that I really like! Finding a daily groove of getting your body moving will be one of the best things you can do in college. Again, your mental health will thank you most deeply. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Don’t underestimate walking. Set your timer for 20 to 30 minutes, lace up some shoes, put on some fun music or a podcast, and start moving! Your body will love it.
Check out the campus rec center at least once. The rec center became my favorite spot. I made friends and worked out so much stress! And it is gloriously free with your tuition! USU’s rec center also had all sorts of classes you could take for an extra $30ish a semester (which is a steal compared to normal life gyms!). If you’ve never been to a gym before, your campus rec center is an easy, fun way to start.
Sign up for a P.E. credit. This is how one of my roommates made sure she exercised. Every semester she took a fun P.E. class (from swimming, to racquetball, to ballroom dance) so that movement was worked into her schedule. And most of the time, taking an extra P.E. credit doesn’t cost you anything. Plus, they usually are pass/fail so the stakes are low. And when else can racquetball so easily be just part of your routine??
Buy clothes you are comfortable exercising in. Stores like Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Walmart always have great, cheap workout clothes. This is a small investment with big rewards.
5. Stay Clear of the Dead Sea Scroll
I stole that line from Brother Jan Newman because I think it’s wonderfully clever. Please avoid getting into the habit of scrolling nearly endlessly through YouTube shorts, Tiktoks, or any other short video content. You will get lost! Lost in a sea of opinions, sad stories, unrealistic body expectations, jealousy, and all sorts of other negativity you do not need. No matter how many of your friends love to scroll through TikTok, you don’t have to!
I only recently set a hard rule for myself (and have stuck to it) of not consuming short videos mindlessly. And I honestly feel set free!!!
(If you ever need a technology reset, I recommend watching The Social Dilemma on Netflix.)
6. Embrace that YSA Dream
I wrote a whole thang on how to thrive in a YSA ward, so I’ll point you there: You can THRIVE in a YSA ward
But as a quick sum up, going to church regularly, working in a calling, and making friends at church can be a really beautiful part of your life that I totally recommend!! Don’t let anyone tell you church isn’t cool! And don’t tell yourself you don’t have time :)
7. Remember that Making Friends Takes Time
If you are a little nervous about the social aspect of college, that’s totally normal!! I had some friends my first two years, but didn’t find close friends until my last two years of school. Nothing is wrong with you if making friends doesn’t come naturally. You are so glorious and important. Sometimes finding those good friends just takes a minute.
I may write a whole spiel on how to make friends one day, but for now, here is my best piece of advice: Focus less on what people think of you and more on how people feel when they are around you.
8. Call Your Mama (and Me)
Never forget you have a system of people that love you and want to help you! I called my mom nearly everyday either for advice or just for someone to talk to. You are loved really deeply, but sometimes it is easy to forget that if you don’t hear the sound of that love. So make a point to call and talk. A quick 10 minute convo can work wonders!
9. Sample My Articles on Dating
I certainly didn’t cover everything, but on this page “Love and Dating” you’ll find a whole slew of hopefully good advice. (From kissing, to break-ups, to recognizing true love.)
10. Hope for the Best, Don’t Brace for the Worst
And to end this happy little list, I invite you to live in a world of optimism and hope! I am all too familiar with the feeling of looking out at the future and having no idea how it’s all going to work out. Am I in the right major? Will I get the right internship? Will I ever make enough money? Where will I live? Do I have what it takes to do this? Am I making the right decisions?
There are a lot of questions in life, and they are all better faced with hope (and Jesus) in your heart.
Things are going to work out. Let that settle in your bones—choose to settle it in your bones. You will be nervous and anxious at times, and that’s natural, normal, and makes me want to hug you. Slowly begin to exercise your mind to choose optimism when those hard times come. (Find more on how to do that here: A case for hoping for the best (not bracing for the worst. This was a pretty life-changing realization for me.)
I love you, Christina! And all the other Christinas out there prepping for college in the fall. I KNOW you can do this! We will always be here to catch you when you fall, cheer you on when you fly, and love you deeply no matter what!