To my freshman self,

So you’ve started this journey in a new world and you’re a mix of excited and scared. So unsure what’s about to come your way as you work hard over these next four years and so eager to learn what life is going to be like. It won’t be easy. You may want to give up. Some of the things you’ll endure over the next few years might break you, but you’ll make it through.

Going from the structured walls of high school to the freedom of college can be terrifying. But while you’re trying to get accustomed to this new environment remember to laugh and have fun. Make memories and never forget where you are. You’re going to get so caught up in your future and living in the moment is going to be what you need. Don’t fret the future so much because I’ve learned that eventually, everything will work out in the end.

Don’t try to predict what’s going to happen in the next four years, but it’s never going to be what you imagine.

What you can never anticipate are the relationships that you are going to find. They won’t be just with your peers but you’ll make lasting relationships with your professors and other members of the staff. Some of your professors will go above and beyond, and those are the ones that you’ll learn from most. They won’t just teach you about your subject, they’ll teach you about life.

You’re going to have those days where you struggle with loving yourself and those around you. You’ll encounter things that you might have thought were going to break you completely. But you didn’t and you came out stronger. Some of those moments seemed like it was the end, you never thought that you’d come out on top. You never believed you’d get past those things. But you did. You did it all. It’s still a long road, but you’ll learn how to love yourself—inside and out.

Don’t be afraid to let people in, they’re going to be the ones that get you through these hard times. At first, it’s going to seem like you must hold it all in, but honey you don’t. You can let it out. Your friends won’t judge you. They’ll comfort you when you cry. They’ll love you no matter what.

Speaking of friends, they won’t be the same people that you have now. Many of them will change, and that’s okay. As you grow, you’ll learn more about those people and it just might not fit anymore. But as you lose friends, you’ll gain new ones. You’ll gain the friends that will truly love you and make sure you’re doing all that you can. Appreciate them. Tell them you love them.

Don’t be afraid to change your major. What you thought you wanted to do in high school might not be what you find yourself in love with in college. Take those unexpected classes and see what really fits you. Fall in love with your major and it’ll feel like the biggest blessing in your life.

Lastly, always appreciate where you came from. You’ve already learned so much and you’re going to learn so much more. These four years will fly by and in the blink of an eye, graduation will be close by.

Take time to relax. Love what you do. Laugh a lot and work your hardest. Just remember, what’s meant to be will always be. You’re going to learn all that you need in a field that fits you perfectly. Never let anyone dull your sparkle and always follow your heart. With all that in mind, college will be a breeze.

Love,

Your Senior Self