As I am experiencing my last semester of senior year of college, I have recently found myself reminiscing on my entire college experience. I think back to the beginning of freshman year, and how rapidly it transformed into sophomore year, and how soon it dissolved into junior year, which blurred into this year and where I am today…A SENIOR!

I was certainly not the same person then as I am now, yet I have stuck to my values and my true self the entire time. I never lost myself, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of college. If I could go back, this is what I would tell my freshman self.

Dear freshman me,

You are gearing up to embark on a complex journey that will last for at least the next four years of your life. You may not know it now, but your life is about to go from uneventful to a roller coaster ride! I have some pieces of advice for you because, as you know, my time in college is coming to a close. Here is what I want you to know…

1. Live every day of college with no regrets

2. Try new experiences

3. Always be yourself and be proud of who you are

4. Jump out of your comfort zone

5. Get involved on campus

6. Decide if you truly want to find a job in the area that you are studying

7. Take time for yourself

8. Pull an all-nighter but learn from it

9. Don’t procrastinate, but we both know you will

10. Discover who you are and spread your wings

11. Become independent

12. Enjoy every minute of it

13. The best part of college will be the connections you make and the people you meet who you will just never want to let go

And know that I will always love you and be there for you for every step of the way. Now, I am not going to tell you how to live for the next four years of your life; that is for you to decide. Just remember that every day is a present, and life is a journey, not a destination.

Love,

Your-Older-and-Wiser-Senior-in-College Self