Hey you,
Remember me, the awkward freshman girl who didn’t know what the heck she was doing her first week of college? Well, now you’re about to graduate and you can finally say, “I made it”. And I am sure the emotions are just about everywhere right now, but take it all in.
I hope you are able to say you did everything you wanted to do in college, even if that means you took chances that scared the hell out of you. Did you live out of your comfort zone, like you promised you would? And did you do the unthinkable with your four years at Fairfield University? Make sure to thank Mom for nagging you to get involved because without her you know you wouldn’t have put yourself out there.
Numerous people told you right before your first week as a freshman that the next four years were the years to become the person who you wanted to be. I hope you accomplished the goals you set, and achieved your dreams that you never thought were possible. I hope you stuck true to your values and opinions, and always stayed open to others, throughout the past four years.
Take this last year as a college student and go above and beyond. Do more than what you thought you were capable of; take every opportunity that is presented to you and make the most out of it. I want you to be able to look back on your last day of college and not regret that you didn’t join that one club, or take that one class just because you were scared. This is your last year until you get thrown into the busy rush of the “real world” so make the most out of it.
You are about to embark on the start of your life. You may be stressing about what job you are going to get after you graduate, where you are going to live, and a bunch of other stuff, but just relax. You know whatever happens is meant to be. If you put your heart into anything, you’ll achieve whatever you are shooting for. You got this, and I know in the bottom of your heart you know that, but sometimes those everyday thoughts can get to you. Push those aside, please.
Remember how worried you were your first week freshman year, about how you didn’t think you were going to have any friends? Well, I guarantee now you have handful of amazing friends who did it all with you throughout the past four years. Cherish all those friendships, and carry them with you for the rest of your life. The stories you hold with those friends are going to be the stories you tell your kids, and they will stay with you for the rest of your life.
In the end I just hope you are happy. Happy with your choices, education, and friends. I hope you can be proud to be who you have become over the past for years, and make sure you keep being your best you. Please don’t forget to thank everyone who has helped you get the today. I can’t wait to see how well you killed it and experience all the fun that came with this crazy journey I am starting. Cheers to you!
P.S. Remember this, “Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.” – Jalaluddin Rumi
Yours always,
Whitney McLaughlin