Dear, former self,

I know it sounds cliche......to say that coming to college has changed me as a person. I know that everyone says that, but there's a reason, and it's simply because that statement in nothing but true. You have grown up so much during just one semester of college already. You are a version of yourself now that you weren't before and it's a good thing. This former you was someone who was lost, and confused about what she wanted in life. You still are living in this immature mentality thinking that everything in life will work itself out, and whatever happens, happens, but you're wrong. Everything in life doesn't just fall into your lap, and let me reassure you that the future you will figure this out with time. You may be scared now of heading off to college, moving out of your home and forcing yourself to be independent, but I promise you that it is not as hard as you think. It will come naturally to you. You'll come into your college environment, meet new people, and settle into your new life, and you'll come to see that this maturation and sense of self worth come to you in the blink of an eye. Without even realizing it's happening, you will grow up. You'll stop dwelling on the past and what your life used to be like as a high school student or a girl living at home with everything that's familiar to her, and you'll start thinking with an independent mind. You'll become someone different, a person you are proud to be. What I'm trying to say is that college really does change people, and that's not just a cliche saying you hear now and then. It's a truthful one. I promise you that you'll find your way. Right now you're worrying about what life has in store for you, where you're going next, and how you're going to get there. Put those thoughts out of your mind and just focus on the present because like I said, growing up and becoming that better version of yourself will happen naturally. I'm not saying there won't be bumps in the road for you, because there will be. You'll struggle to find your way initially, and you'll have to work to build yourself up, and find your happy medium, but you will achieve this. The future you is thriving. She is a motivated, head-strong individual who may not have everything figured out yet, but she's closer than ever to finding her sense of self worth. College has been good for her. It has enabled her to be in charge of her own education and her own life. I'm happy that you struggled a bit to find your way because you have only come out stronger on the other end with a confident head on your shoulders. The future you is proud of how much you've grown up and how much you've changed.