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An Open Letter To My Little Sister

I can't wait to watch you succeed.

Bethany Houalla

May 31, 2016

Westmont College

Bethany Houalla's Mother

To my little sister who is off to college,

Words cannot describe how proud I am of you. You were basically my best friend throughout high school (only a grade apart!) and I was able to watch you grow into the beautiful woman that you are today.

You are one of the smartest people I know. Going to SLO for engineering! I know you are going to do remarkable things. I can't wait to watch you succeed.

I know it wasn't easy growing up being the youngest sister. It must have felt like you were always the last to grow, and it must have been hard being seen as the baby of the household. But to be honest, I always looked up to you. I remember during my freshman-sophomore year, I kind of collapsed. You were always the logical, sober one that would whip my ass into shape whenever I screwed up. Now that I think about it...you should be the older sister. Regardless, for some reason I was born first, so I know what you are going to face in college. Here are some things I want you to know before you go on your way:

Never underestimate your worth. I mean it. Never forget how hard you worked to get to where you are today. Even when it feels like you are drowning in homework, or you had some embarrassing incident that happened at a stupid party...please never forget how truly precious you are.

Don't let anyone discourage you from pursuing what you love. You are an amazing engineer, a talented musician, and a wonderful daughter of God. Just choose what you love and RUN after it. Don't hold back. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you are happy. Don't choose a major that you aren't content with, just because you think it is practical. After all, when has anything in our lives ever been practical? Embrace the unconventional.

Don't forget to go to church. We need God in our lives -- especially throughout college. Make time to pray. Read your Bible, and do your devotionals. Don't lose your faith. College without God is scary and lonely...trust me on this. Find a church near your college and go every Sunday. Even if you are tired or sick or hungover -- go to church. I promise you, it is worth it.

If you EVER need anything, I'm only a phone call away. I will drive my ass up to San Luis Obispo at 2 in the morning if you need me. I am always here, no matter what. I know the same goes for any of the other sisters. We are all here for you. Except it might be a little harder for Natalie, who lives in London.

You are STRONG. I've seen you go through hell and back and somehow make it on top. You held it together, even when you thought that you were crumbling. You are one badass warrior. College has nothing on you.

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An Open Letter To My Little Sister

I can't wait to watch you succeed.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

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"Nobody living in one of the most influential nations in the world should be worried about making ends meet."

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What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

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Because who understands your bitterness better than April?

1. When you have to provide an "interesting fact" for your first day ice-breaker.

2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

3. When you edit your friend's paper and they get an A.

4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

6. ...but then you get the test back and somehow passed.

7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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