Thank you! I’m excited to check in.

That’s so interesting! I believe when I was active we had quite a few older participants as well. We had quite a lot of  active CBers who were 14-16. Obviously I belonged to a younger set, but I learned a lot from those older CBers.

Oh yes, that’s definitely the case! I dug up my oldest post (please don’t do it, 11-year-old Coi isn’t something I need anyone else to look at but me. 2013 was a different time, man.)  and it was wild to see. Yes to all of those things! I do not know what the first two are but they sound super cool and I hope you all are enjoying them. AEs were started I think while I was active and then around when I began to fade more into the NaNo YWP community because I got very close to some people there, they were getting very big. I do not think I ever participated just because it wasn’t my thing but I certainly remember when it was the newest thing.

Thank you! 11-year-old Coi is happy you all met & experienced BHR since we were very close back in the day and little me thought she was the coolest person. I have not spoken to her in a few years but I am sure she is still very cool and it’s great that I’m not the only one checking in. Thank you so much! I’m still amazed by it myself. I’ve been writing for a really long time and love it and of course I’ve always wanted to be published (and this is a small publication, so it’s not really all that dramatic) but never fully expected it to happen.

It is forever ago! I agree with that sentiment. Thank so much!

It's nice to meet you!

Five years is a long time. It's lovely that you have been here that long.

Oh, tell me about it! I'm feeling so much nostaligia right now. Thank you very much!  

Hello! Nice to meet you!

Oh, lovely! I certainly do. For some context, I'm a design student and I attend an art school (I'm studying interior design, which is on the very technical side of creative fields but still an "art & design" field) so obviously some of this might not be super applicable to a liberal arts student. I also do not dorm! I have commuted my entire college experience so far, and now my college is entirely remote so that isn't an issue. With those disclaimers, here's some general advice:

Firstly, some reassurances: Being nervous is valid! I was super nervous about the transition to college and being responsible because it felt like such a huge jump. But I think in some ways it's easier then high school. Not in terms of workload. At least not for my field of study. But in terms of that you are older, people are older, there's less drama. Also, you will find your people! If you are worried about that, since I certainly was. if you aren't, ignore this part. You do not have to reinvent yourself to do it. There are so many people and so much world and there's going to be someone out there who needs you in their life just the way you are. I am perhaps not the easiest person to become friends with casually (for various reasons, mostly because I do not fit the mold of typical person very well. Also I have witch energy, apparently? (which, side note, best compliment I've ever recieved)), and I was concerned about that going in that I wouldn't find anyone. But I did! You will find the people who will stay late on Thursday nights to eat ice cream and gossip. You will, and it'll be wonderful.

Tips: 

1. If you are dorming, learn life skills before you leave home if you don't know them already. No one is going to do your laundry for you. I had to teach one of my close friends how to use a coffee maker my first semester. Learn laundry, cleaning, basic cooking, and other upkeep. How to clean a toliet. Basic stuff. 

2. Learn organizational skills, if you don't know them already. You're going to need them, and either college will strength the ones you have, or it will let you know how very much you do not have any at all. The first one is better. 

3. Do not neglect time management. This is not high school anymore, and while college professors can be actually less demanding then high school teachers, they do not hold your hand. You have to learn to manage your time yourself.

4. Get to know your professors! I am a teacher's pet, always have been, always will be. Most of that is because I come from very little money and even less opportunity, so I have learned to cling to any scrap of opportunity. And it's worked! I have gained wonderful mentor relationships. Basically, (most, definitely not all) professors really want to help you to succeed and you just have to make the extra effort to take advantage of it.

5. Say yes. To everything. From club activities to dinner after presentations with your classmates to helping your professor. You have no idea where an opportunity will lead you, and what friends you'll make along the way. Don't ignore your own boundaries and instincts, but step outside your comfort zone.

6. There is no "college experience". It's a hoax made up by TV shows to make people feel nostalgic for experiences they didn't have. I'm joking, partially, but everyone's college experiences are very very different and you can have whatever experience you want. For example: I much prefer lying on my friend's dorm room floor eating cookies & talking for hours to parties and such. That's not necessarily the "college experience", but it's mine and I love it.

Basically, just relax, have fun, and don't forget you're there to do school and learn. Sorry for the long post, I am incurably longwinded.

If you have any specific questions, I would be more then happy to answer. What are you studying? 

These are a lot of great tips, Corina. Thank you. I'd like to add one: If/when classes are in person, do not be afraid to sit in the front row. I found it easier to pay attention from the front row, and the professor can see you and get to know you better.

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