Dear College,
My time with you is coming to a close. Four years. Everyone tells you that the time will fly by. You nod your head and say "yeah, I know." Because you do know. Time flies. You've heard it before and even experienced it for yourself. Yet four years later, you're still baffled thinking about that kid walking on campus for the very first time. They don't look too much different than you do now, maybe 15 lbs lighter. It's still you. Maybe your face holds a little more innocence. Your eyes are bright with excitement and widened in fear. It feels like yesterday. Yet you hardly recognize that girl that walked around campus with a map to get to classes the entire first week of school. You hardly recognize that girl that wore a Harry Potter lanyard with her dorm key dangling from it everywhere she went. (I'm still not sure why I thought that was okay.)
The person you're looking at in the mirror today has seen struggle, stress, and had a bittersweet taste of the real world. Bitter because the real world can be ugly. It's full of racism, bigotry, prejudiced people, greed, ignorance, and hate. You've seen that first hand at school, no doubt. But it's sweet because your path is just getting started; you can go anywhere you want to go and you can be the change you want to see in the world. That's what college does. It gives you a sample of the good, the bad, and the ugly, your place in it all, and asks you, "what do you want to do about it?"
It's not a perfect place, but it is ready to launch you into life.
--
I started these four years at a time when I was very lost. I believe everyone starts a new chapter of their lives a little lost, some more than others. You embark on this new journey feeling disoriented, but you learn. You find your footing. You learn your surroundings. I know Towson, MD like the back of my hand now.
You are making the transition from 18 years of being under someone else's roof. Your life is shaped by the people you were born to, you don't get much of a say on that. If you're lucky these people gave you tools to succeed and a loving home. Not everyone is so lucky; the world is full of well-meaning but flawed people.
Regardless, this is your time to forge your own path. Where do YOU want to go? Who do YOU want to be? Who are you? What do you want to do? Instead of looking to your guardians for the answers of life, you are now looking to yourself. And these four years give you a hell of a ride while you try to answer all of those questions.
College, you led me slowly but surely into the world. You let me get to know myself. There were some ugly moments. Moments that I am ashamed of. Moments where I procrastinated homework to the point of tears in the library. I failed tests. I said things I should have kept to myself. I acted on anger and fear. I had my heartbroken. My feelings were hurt. I was disappointed. I was scared shitless meeting new people and making new friends. But those moments led to growth. I learned. And I also experienced amazing moments. Laughing until I cry with my best friends. Dancing and singing at the bars. Getting involved with groups that changed my life and pushed me to be better. Infatuation and heart racing moments with the guy of my dreams. Working hard and reaping the rewards. Creating projects that I'm proud of. Learning. Opportunity. Great jobs and internships that have helped forge my career. Words of wisdom from Professors, advisers, therapists, and speakers that have come across my path because of you.
I'm better because of you. You helped me realize what I am capable of, and for that, I will be forever thankful. I will never ever forget the best four years of my life thus far. Thank you for the memories, thank you for lifelong friends, thank you for the growth, and thank you for the tools and influence to create a life that can contain even better years to come.
Love,
Lissy
