To My Senior Self, With 3 Years Down And 1 To Go

Dear my Senior Self,

Yes, it's hard to believe. How did you get here? Officially a senior in college, and you feel like you just were moving into Wayland Hall yesterday. What a crazy ride it has been, and now we enter into the final chapter. The one where they all graduate. The end of an era. So as you begin the last summer before the end of your undergraduate career, here are a few reminders for you.

Do everything you have wanted to do.

To an extent. Don't put yourself or others at risk, but also take risks. You have one year left to be irresponsible. Quit worrying about the stupid things, about how others view you, about proving yourself to others. Go to class yes, but also waste time hanging out with your friends. The people you have spent the last three years growing and learning with. You have lasted three years with this bunch, these individuals are in it for the long haul. Stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday when you have a paper due on Wednesday (not every week but at least once). Spend the money you don't have. Drink until sunrise. Say yes to something that you might not have time for but are willing to make the time for. The work never ends, but college does. So live a little.

Relax (or at least try to every now and then).

You have two semesters left. That's it! So work hard, and do well, but don't spend those last two semesters killing yourself. Also yes, the real world is coming. Time is moving, you can't stop it. But try not to panic too much. Writing this letter, you may not know what you want to do yet. But that is why you have this next year to figure it out. And if you don't, that is OK too. Trust in yourself, you will end up on the right path.

Hold on to your friends.

Like I said, the individuals you have met are some of the greatest people you have come to known. You have gone through it all together and come out of tough situations stronger individuals. These are the friends you will have forever, and they aren't going anywhere. So create memories with them, and be grateful that JMU brought you together, and that they have helped make your time at JMU be some of the most incredible years of your life.

Believe in yourself.

It is hard to find the confidence that you, in fact, are going to be successful. You are ready for the real world, you are getting the degrees and training to prove it. You are surrounded by people that want you to be successful and have helped you figure out what you need to do to get there. Of course you still have so much more learning to do, it will never stop, but believe that you have the capabilities to find success in whatever field you choose. It may not feel like it now, but you will get there. The world is your oyster, you can do this.

Take it all in.

Take photographs, have fun, and most of all enjoy your senior year. This is it, you only get one. So live it well. Do it all, shine your light, and make the most of it. JMU has been your home for the past three years, so here's to one more. I leave you with a statement about JMU that started it all:

JMU is not just an institution of higher learning, it is a spirit, it is an atmosphere, it is a way of life. I am glad to say I have lived.

Live it up, my dear, have a blast and enjoy being you. And of course, go dukes!

Love,

Your Recently Junior, Now Officially Senior Self