Upon the completion of my first semester of college, after finding myself back home, a whirlwind of final exams, and a semester of learning, studying, growing, and having fun, I’ve had time to reflect. Most importantly, I find myself thinking back to the person I was a year ago, and how much I’ve changed since then. For all the fun that college is, sometimes it is important to take a step back and think about the milestones and accomplishments that have happened since arriving on your college campus. And arguably, the impending new year is a time of self-reflection, so, I’ve crafted a letter to my high school self, to promote reflection on the major life changes that have happened to me this year.
Dear High School Self (Written from you after your first semester of college),
You’ve just completed your first semester of senior year, and are constantly stressing about the college process. You have one semester of high school left. You can’t wait for college. You are so ready for senior spring. In all due time, these things will fly by and you’ll find yourself driving away from your childhood home, nostalgic and teary-eyed. But, first things first, I want to remind you of a few things to remember in your last months at home.
The college process completely stinks, but you already know that. It’s not going exactly as planned, and waiting until March will leave you completely stressed and crabby. Gathering the courage to view your admissions decisions will be some of the worst and most stressful moments of your young life, and will hopefully be followed by some of the most joyous, as you celebrate your acceptance into your dream school. Always remember that there is a plan, and sometimes the road to get to that plan may be twisted and bumpy, just like the college process. In the present day, I want you to know how happy you are with your college decision, now, and that you can’t imagine yourself anywhere else. Everything happens for a reason. As nervous and saddened as you were after your senior fall, you are a now new person, filled with joy at how well college is going.
And, after the college process has finished, your high school graduation will soon be approaching and you will be enjoying the sunshine of senior spring. As many times as you have heard this, savor those moments with your friends and family, you will want to remember that in college and you will regret it if you don’t spend time with them. The best thing you can do for yourself, in your last semester of high school, is to appreciate your high school, which has shaped you into the person you are today. You will only realize how much your high school environment influenced you after you graduate. Spend every moment with your friends and your family, show and tell them how much they mean to you, because you won’t be able to do that in a few months. Cherish the late night gossiping and the endless laughs. When it comes to graduation, there won’t be enough tears for you to cry over how much you’re going to miss them, but that’s one thing you already know. Go out and do everything you can, because come the moment when you’re all 1,000 miles away from each other, you have those memories to fondly look back on. Give your family a hug everyday, tell your parents you love them, and spend time with your siblings over the summer. If you do these things, you won’t leave home with any regrets.
Guess what, you did these things, and you are so glad you did . You should be proud of that! You have missed your family like no other, felt lost without your best friends, but you have come so far in your first semester of college. But, you know you maximized the time you had with them. From you in 2016 versus you in 2017, you have been through so many changes, but you know you’re happy now.
Sincerely,
You after your first semester of college
PS. It’s a whirlwind. It really is. And for all college students, whether Freshmen or Senior, you were all here at one point. It’s important to remember how you felt in your young high school years, it really makes you understand how far you’ve come through reliving each emotion that you had. Sometimes, you need to acknowledge the past to appreciate the present.