Dear Freshman Year Me,
I know the thought of your freshman year of college is definitely scarier than your freshman year of high school. I mean, at least in high school you know at least one other person going to the same death trap as you. But despite what your parents, peers and past professors have told you, your first year of college will bring you many gifts, gifts that will enrich the rest of your years in college.
You will meet so many amazing, inspiring people that will push you to limits you never knew you had, in addition to gaining an exponential amount of knowledge to keep in your arsenal for the future. Your freshman year will only be a nightmare if you let it: don't set yourself up for failure. Know what you are capable of and where you can improve and move up from there. Do not metamorphose into the student you very well know you aren't. Stay true to yourself and do not let people make you their personal doormat (that is the job of your siblings).
Make sure you maintain the healthy relationships in your life, let go of the damaged ones and open yourself to new friendships. The more open you present yourself to others, the more likely they are to reciprocate — leading to flourishing relationships that evolve right before your eyes.
Just remember that life moves in a series of rises and falls. At some point you are bound to fail, but failures can teach you some of the most valuable lessons. Success is a gift, and once you receive it, do not boast or present yourself on a different scale compared to everybody else. Chances are, your peers have succeeded more than you, or just as much, thus making them equally as wise and triumphant. Never give yourself too much or too little credit for everything you have accomplished because doing so will only damage your precious vision of yourself. Stay true to yourself and never stray away from everything you strive to improve in your daily life. Not everything changes in a day so stay patient and stay strong, and make sure to wear your smile!
Godspeed my friend,
Your future self
