Pat yourself on the back, bestie. You've made it through high school, and now you're ready to take on the world as a freshman in college. It's a huge deal, and you should feel proud of yourself. Of course, with every new beginning comes a bit of anxiety about the future, and college is no exception. Will you get along with your roomie? How will you adjust to living on campus and away from your family for the first time? Are you prepared for the course load? As overwhelming as it feels, you've got this. But sometimes some inspiring quotes can remind you of that and inspire you to celebrate your new beginning as a college freshman. Some quotes can reflect the big moments, the small ones, and all the fun hidden in between.

Whether you're looking for your new mantra to get you through those first crazy weeks of college or need some on-point words to caption all those Instas you'll be sharing of your new life, these freshman year quotes help capture the crazy exciting time that is your first year of college.

Freshman Year Quotes

  • "The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think." — Albert Einstein
  • "Today is not just another day. It's a new opportunity, a new chance, a new beginning." — Anonymous
  • "There is a time and a place for everything, and it's called college." — Anonymous
  • "College is such a unique time because you're learning a little bit how to be an adult. You're learning how to take care of yourself without parental influence, and you're exposed to so many great minds. I feel like I didn't even know how to think until I got to college." — Anne Hathaway
  • "You can’t do it alone. Be open to collaboration. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you. Spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life." — Amy Poehler
  • "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." — Thoreau
  • "You’re off to great to great places. Today is your first day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!" — Dr. Seuss
  • "Don't try hard to fit in, and certainly don't try hard to be different... just try hard to be you." — Zendaya
  • "This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change." — Taylor Swift
  • "Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." — Malala Yousafzai
  • "Work hard, nap hard." – Demi Lovato
  • "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." – Chinese Proverb
  • “Education doesn’t just make us smarter. It makes us whole.” ― Jill Biden
  • "Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education." — Martin Luther King Jr.
  • "I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy- I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it." – Art Williams
  • "A good education is a foundation for a better future." ― Elizabeth Warren
  • "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." — Arthur Ashe
  • "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose." — Dr. Seuss
  • "Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." — Carl Bard
  • "The worst thing is trying to find a good seat on the first day of school." — Unknown
  • "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." — John Dewey
  • "The first day of school is our second New Year. It is our day to make resolutions, to look backward to former lapses and triumphs and to look ahead, usually with a mix of anxiety and hope, to the year to come." — Mark Edmundson
  • "No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up." — Regina Brett
  • "A new school year means new beginnings, new adventures, new friendships, and new challenges. The slate is clear and anything can happen." — Denise Witmer
  • "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." — Carl Sagan
        Headshot of Jasmine Washington
        Jasmine Washington
        Assistant Editor

        Jasmine Washington is an Assistant Editor at Seventeen, where she covers celebrity news, beauty, lifestyle, and more. For the past decade, she has worked for media outlets, including BET, MadameNoire, VH1, and many others, where she used her voice to tell stories across various verticals. Follow her on Instagram.