You’re here. You’re finally ready to begin that next great adventure in your life…college.

You couldn’t have made a better choice when you chose Appalachian State University to spend the next four (maybe five) years of your life.

The next few days, weeks and months are going to be scary, exciting and nerve wracking all rolled into one, and hopefully you’ll love it.

I can look back at my decision to attend Appalachian four years ago and honestly say  I have absolutely no regrets. 

I have stumbled, celebrated, triumphed and failed too many times to count.

So with three glorious years at Appalachian behind me, and four equally glorious years ahead of you, I offer you the following advice:College is the time to officially declare your independence from your parents, and even if you have to do that kicking and screaming because they are holding on for dear life, you should put your foot down and do it.

After spending this past summer working in the University College Academic Advising and Orientation office as a receptionist, I am utterly surprised that a large number of you are coming to this university.

Daily we would receive countless phone calls from parents of incoming students asking questions that should have been asked by their sons and daughters.

These students were often standing right next to their parents relaying information through the phone instead of providing it to us themselves.

Aside from my frustration, I began thinking about why else this was a problem.

If students can’t even make a call to ask simple questions about whether or not the university has received their AP scores, what time freshman orientation begins, or when they will receive notice of their housing assignments for the fall, how do these students expect to survive at an university of nearly 15,000 students potentially hours away from home?

When will parents learn the best thing they can do for the son’s and daughter’s success is to simply let go?

One favor my parents did for me when I began my journey here to Appalachian was to practice a little “tough love.”

If I had a question, problem or anything else that needed to be handled concerning Appalachian, it was my responsibility to make that phone call, write that letter, or request that piece of advice – not theirs.

Aside from paying my bills, which I am eternally grateful for, my parents gave me the responsibility of handling “all things college,” and looking back, I can only thank them for that.

So, my suggestion would be to follow my lead. 

Make a pact with yourself to try your absolute best to declare your  independence from parents and to own up to the responsibility that comes with your age and title of “college student.”

The feeling of accomplishment may surprise you.

This university is here to help and to assist you along the way, all you have to do is reach out and ask.

Start with your residence hall resident advisor.

Your RA is there to help you transition smoothly into college life.

Try asking them questions and seeking advice from them, before calling home and asking your parents to find out what can be done about your leaking Microfridge or incompatible roommate.

Your RA knows the inner workings of this university and can give you better advice than your parents will get calling to Housing and Residence Life to complain about these problems.

If you have a problem or concern about your classes or major, seek the advice of your academic advisor located in University College on the first floor of D.D. Dougherty Hall.

Call and make an appointment to discuss your options.

You’ll probably find all your questions can be answered quickly without sending your parents on the task.

If the feeling of being away from home is burdening you, seek help from the Counseling Center. They offer group and individual counseling and are eager to help you succeed here at Appalachian. Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to ask.

Now, I am not a fool and I know times get tough, things happen, people are out of the country or at boot camp or a whole slew of other problems that prevent them from making these phone calls, but for the large majority of students this is not the case.

So start off your career here at Appalachian with a sense of accomplishment and a load of responsibility and when you are in my position years from now, you can look back and truly have no regrets.

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