Dear Senior Self,

You are currently writing this letter as a second-semester freshman at the University of Alabama. By now, you should be in the Upper Division of the Nursing School killin’ it in your clinical rotations, and you may or may not have a boyfriend, (if you don't I totally get it, girl, you may have bigger priorities at the moment, bare with me, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt). I hope though that the man you've always thought was the one for you, becomes your man (So interested to see if this actually happens). Anyways, you're 5’5’’ 105lbs (let's keep it that way okay?), you have amazing friends, your roommates are pretty awesome, you can't do organic chemistry for the life of you (but don't worry, you probably won't need to draw out carboxylic acids while starting an IV on your patient). You're stressed and feel as if the world is out to get you but you're trying to come to terms with trusting the process that leads to success.

As graduation approaches, I hope that you still have the drive to finish strong because you've worked so hard to get where you are. You can do it. The countless nights of no sleep, tears, frustration and the headaches that organic chemistry gave you are about to pay off as you start applying to hospitals to pursue your nursing career. The day you at times thought would never come because you felt like a failure, is near and you will become an Alabama Alumnus. Congratulations, by now you've survived a deadly infection, open heart surgery, and nursing school. Deep down, I knew you could do it.

Now, I don't know what tomorrow will bring, hell, I don't even know what I'm going to eat for dinner tonight, so down the road, your plans may change. Ya know because life happens and a lot can change in 4 years. However, what I know for sure is that your family will still always come first, your faith will continue to give you hope, and wherever you are and whatever you're doing, I know you'll make it work somehow. That's a lot of knowing to get you through anything.

Sincerely,

Your stressed out, trying to be optimistic about the future, college Freshman Self