Being a freshman can be a bright and exciting time, but also an overwhelming one. The Class of 2026 knows exactly how it feels, and a few of them have some suggestions to consider for the ride.
Payton Edwards is a senior Kinesiology major with a concentration in Neuromechanics. In his final semester, Hayden McPhail is a Business Management major. Jenesis Vann is majoring in Psychology. Last, but not least, Jeffery Johnson, Jr., is a senior Finance major. Each of them shared advice and wisdom for incoming freshmen preparing for their time at Mississippi State University.
If there was one thing you’d recommend freshmen get out of their college experience, what would it be?
Edwards: “Join an organization on campus that they enjoy. It’s a great way to get out of their dorms and decompress from school work, but also meet people that have similar interests as them and can have fun with.”
McPhail: “Literally go to everything! Do not take your time as a freshman for granted because time flies by. You only are a freshman once, so you want to make the most out of your college experience.”
Vann: “One thing I would recommend freshmen is to get as involved on campus as possible! It is the best way to make friends and put yourself out there. You will meet so many amazing individuals with different backgrounds and make lifetime friendships.”
Johnson: “Build momentum early. Most students want to wait and get the hang of school first, which is understandable. However, you have already been doing school for 12–14 years. Put yourself out there, because the more people you meet, the more connections you build for the future, the more core memories you create, and the more soft skills you continue to develop.”
If they could spend their last $20 at any restaurant, where should they go?
Edwards: “I would 100% say El Veracruz. It is a Mexican restaurants by the movie theater and they serve the best bean dip ever and it’s free!”
McPhail: “If they had $20 left to spend I would suggest going to Bulldog Burger! It’s a must-try restaurant when in Starkville, and the vibes are so fun when going with friends!”
Vann: “I would recommend Boardtown pizza! If you have some extra money left, I would also recommend Whole Bean coffee. There is no bad place to eat in Stark, in my opinion.”
Johnson: “You can’t go wrong with Bin 612 and their cheese fries. You can get so much food for $20 there!”
Main advice for staying on campus?
Edwards: “Try your best to walk as much as you can because parking is not the best.”
McPhail: “Staying on campus is very convenient and I would say use your time to explore campus and go to every building you can! Learn the campus so you can enjoy your time for the next 4 years.”
Vann: “Participate in the events your RA or dorm has. It’s a great way to get to know your peers and connect with your RA. They are the most helpful if you are having any issues with your roommate or in general. I would also recommend walking everywhere. As tiring as it may seem it’s the best way to explore this beautiful campus and get your steps in, of course!”
Johnson: “Get out of your residence hall room, even if it’s just to walk around sometimes. The amount of events happening on campus is insane, and you can miss out if you’re always tucked under your covers. Also, check Cowbell Connect. It shows all of the events that organizations are hosting across campus.”
What’s one thing unique to freshman year that they should cherish?
Edwards: “Freshmen should enjoy the newness of everything, even though it can feel overwhelming at times. There are new people to meet, new places to explore, and new opportunities to try things you’ve never done before. It’s normal to feel unsure or out of your comfort zone, but that’s part of the experience. Embracing these moments can help you grow, build confidence, and create memories that will last throughout your college journey.”
McPhail: “One thing that they should cherish would be making core memories with your roommates and being able to make friends with everyone you can! Connection are super important in college and friendships are one of the best things Mississippi State has brought me!”
Vann: “Cherish making lifelong friendships! These four years will go by so fast, so it is nice to slow down and appreciate everything you experience and all the people you meet. You never know who will be the one you get you a job when you graduate or write your letter of recommendation for grad school. You will have a lot of ups and downs with classes and relationships, but these experiences will mold you to be the best version of yourself.”
Johnson: “You are at the beginning of some of the best years of your life, so cherish that. Take advantage of mentorship opportunities. There are upperclassmen who wish they could go back and start over, so tap in with those students. Learn from their mistakes and feed off their knowledge to make your own journey even better.”
Other advice or suggestions?
Edwards: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from professors, classmates, or friends.”
McPhail: “Get involved! It helps so much with future endeavors and makes it much easier to connect with people and foam relationships that’s you never knew you needed.”
Vann: “Don’t be too hard on yourself. College is not supposed to be easy in any aspect. You will probably fail classes or lose friends, but things will get better if you let it. It can be so easy to blame all the mistakes you experience on yourself and feel like the world is ending, but slow down and breathe and tell yourself that everything is going to be okay. There are so many free services that MSU offers and can help with anything you are struggling with, utilize them! They are there for a reason. You got this and as always Hail State!!”
Johnson: “Control what you can control. If it’s something you have no control over, leave it alone and let it do what it’s going to do. Pray about it, if that’s your thing, and keep pushing. If you focus on the things you can control and get those things right, you’ll put yourself in a position to get where you want to be.”
Along the way, plenty of do’s and don’t’s get thrown out, but the most important advice is to do what feels right for one’s own journey. Take what fits, leave the rest and enjoy each step!
