Before I arrived at 106 Central Street, during the last week of August, I did the traditional college dorm shopping. I being, the homebody that I am, did not see waiting in long lines with other excited college freshmen appealing, so I just browsed Pinterest boards, YouTube clips, store catalogs and articles to guide me in my quest for the ultimate living space.

I spent a lot of time imagining what my first year on campus would look like, but trust me regardless of my extensive planning, nothing went according to plan. And, I am completely fine with that! Change is good and there is nothing wrong with taking multiple detours so long as you arrive at your destination.

I realize now that I was focused on the wrong things. I was seeing Wellesley as a new journey and don't get me wrong, Wellesley was new to me: different types of people, challenging but thought provoking classes, non-spicy food and new experiences.

But I wished that I saw Wellesley as a new chapter in the story of my life and not as a completely new book. When I pick up a new book, I want to forget about the last one I read. I force myself to assimilate to a new plot line and throw out the summary and moral lessons from the previous book and readjust to the new story, a new beginning. I forget the character’s names in the old book, the adventure, the thrill and anticipation that each new chapter promised - all so that I can enjoy the new book that I would be reading.

Wellesley isn't a new journey. So instead of focusing on what new things I should buy or replace, I should have spent some time reflecting on the things that I would always stay in my life. I wish that before I got on campus that I had paused to give myself a pat in the back and say Congratulations! You Did It! Then maybe instead of looking at the things that I needed and didn't have, I would have had a better understanding of the strength that I did have. I could have spent less time ordering/browsing for dorm items and spent more time with my family.

Now, I am not saying that you shouldn't get your dorm supplies for you should because those twin beds need as many foam toppers as they can get. My advice to you rising college freshmen, you should make sure that you are prioritizing the precious people in your life. Trust me, that reading pillow wasn't so useful for studying when I felt lonely because I didn't have a huge group of friends like I did in high school or I was homesick because I hadn't had my dad’s cooking in a minute.

All this is to say that before you start your journey on Wellesley, take sometime to appreciate the steps that have led you to where you are now. So my challenge to the girls coming into Wellesley is to spend some time this summer to breath and self-reflect- get to know who you were, who you are and who you want to be. Also know that it is okay to not know, there is a beauty in self discovery. For me, this realization came at the beginning of the second semester but I hope that this piece of advice helps a rising first-year.