Her Story: A Letter to My Freshman Self

Being a junior makes me think about the fact that I’m halfway there-to graduation that is. I’m on the later half of my college education and closer to being an adult rather than a kid.It’s given me a lot to think about, especially how much I’ve changed since the beginning of my journey here in Hawaii. Here’s a letter to my freshmen self,  I wish the best of luck to everyone who’s entering their first year. 

Hey girl,

Welcome to your freshman year! I hope everything is going well so far, but what I really hope is that you listen up.Your mom, dad, brother, and sister left a couple of weeks ago and you never thought anything could make you feel so many emotions at once. Not only do you not have them, but also nothing around is even remotely familiar to what you knew before. We’re not in Kansas anymore kid.

You miss everything back home, but relax okay? Everything is going to be fine. The friends you make here will become your family and get to know you just as well, if not better, than your girls at home. You just have to remember to give those girls in your dorm a chance. Now is not the time to be shy- they are going through the same things too.

Join clubs, go to football games, and party the night away. These are the opportunities that will go by too fast. I know you’re scared- you were a good girl in high school and you know mom would not be proud of what you saw last weekend. Remember,you’re a smart girl too. Have all the fun you can but remember that you are not invincible.

I bet you never thought you’d meet people that were raped. I bet you never thought you’d see people develop an addiction. I bet you never thought that you’d go through a death of a friend at this age. You will. These tragedies are no longer things you hear on the news, they’ll be happening to your friends,  and to you.

You’ll be tested, but you’re a strong girl. Although you’ll experience some low points, you’ll also experience the best moments this life has to offer. You’ll do excruciating hikes because your friends convinced you they were fun, and just as you’re questioning their sanity, you’ll see the most breathtaking view ever. You’ll experience love in so many ways, but don’t forget your worth along way.

When you come back home you’ll notice that everything is so familiar but not at the same time. Your friends at home might not see the world the same way you see it anymore. You and your parents will have endless disagreements on where your life will go, but be patient and remember that they love you.

The possibilities are limitless and you’ll be surprised with what you can accomplish. You will see your friends on their way to success and they will see you on the same path. Be patient, be humble, be grateful, and work hard. All the bad and  the good that will occur within the next couple of years will have the impact you let it. According to Hannah Montana -“life is what you make it”, you’d be surprised at how relevant she is.

Everything will be okay, best of luck girl!

Love always,

Me.