To the Girl Who Isn't Ready for College,
You're headed to your first year at college. "Ahh... college," the word that used to come out of your mouth like it was Disney World. The day you've been dreaming of since you stepped foot for the first time into high school, freshman year. Now, after four unbelievably fast years of dreaming, the time has come like a big slap in the face. Time to put your big kid shoes on now.
I know you're scared. I know you keep coming up with scenarios in your head of what your school year will be like. I know you're thinking of the first friend you will make, your first lecture class, and the first time you eat lunch by yourself because you're used to sitting in the cafeteria with all of your friends. Everything's a first, and you're scared because everything you are used to is coming to an end. And by end I mean a literal end. You've graduated high school and your whole routine has completely changed. No more waking up between the hours of 6 a.m.-7 a.m. to get ready for the school day. No more bell schedule. No more walking through the halls and seeing everyone you know. No more morning and afternoon announcements (now you just check your email for those). No more silly reading homework assignments to brush aside. Worst of all, no more living home. High school sucked but it was the best four years of your life and you know it. The easy part is over. Yes, I just brought your mood down a little bit and no I am not a sadist. I'm just going to give you something to look forward to.
Get ready for freedom. Get ready for not having to wake up early every day. Get ready for a relaxed, more laid out schedule. Get ready for no curfew. Get ready to make new friends and memories. It's not all fun and games, though. Get ready to change your study habits because when the teacher read with you in high school it sure as hell not gonna happen in college. Get ready to not brush those silly textbook readings aside. Finally, get ready to live on your own.
Now, it's hard to decide if you are excited or nervous. Trust me, I know. Having your feelings in a bunch isn't what I signed up for but it's time to accept the fact that you are all grown up. The next best four years of your life are right in front of you. Here's a free pass to start all over. (In case you didn't want anyone to know about your secret obsession with "The Office.")
Instead of being nervous, just think about the lifetime of opportunity thats about to hit you. You are starting the next step to building a career. You will experience hardships within your educational experience, but with hardships comes ease. You are going to see all new kinds of things that you wouldn't have in high school. You will meet different kinds of people, ones you will enjoy and ones that you won't. You will make friendships that will last forever. Don't worry, the old ones aren't over but it's their turn too, or eventually. It's not a goodbye, it's an 'I'll see you later.'
And remember that no one else knows what they are doing either.
