Dear Baby-Freshman Katelynn,
You're stepping into an amazing adventure: college. You've spent the last two years of your life hearing all about how amazing Harding is going to be, and you're finally going to see what everyone has been talking about. Despite what everyone has told you, you're scared out your mind. You don't know anyone, and your friend making skills have rarely extended beyond the forced friendships of high school activities. As much as you want to be excited, anxiety is your dominant emotion.
Guess what? That's okay. You're not the only one who's internally freaking out behind the facade of immense happiness. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that if anyone tells you that they're honestly not nervous, they're flat out lying. It's a new environment, even for the people who have lived in Searcy for their entire lives. Give yourself some grace as you go through this season of transition. You don't have to have your entire life figured out this year. Honestly, you're not going to have it figured out by the time you get out of college. Again, that is totally okay. Those people who have told you that your questions aren't all going to be answered (to which you respond with a major eye roll) are right. Don't be afraid of the ambiguity, the confusion, or the chaos. Instead, welcome it. Embrace the opportunity that you have to learn through experience. That's part of the purpose of college--to try new things that you can't do anywhere else. Take advantage of it.
Speaking of open, don't stress about the fact that you may not know anyone. Look at it as another opportunity, an opportunity to build a new circle of friends. In these next few years, you are going to meet so many people. Some of them will be a lot like you, but more of them are going to be very different: different cultures, different perspectives, different personalities. That's such a beautiful thing, though. You have a chance to learn from and grow with these people. These people are going to change the game for you. They're going to celebrate your victories, mourn your losses, and continually point you toward Christ. They will see the greatness and potential in you when you can't even begin to see it. These people are going to be what makes this experience for you. Yeah, you'll take some cool classes and go to some neat places, but none of those mean anything without the people you experience them with. Put yourself out there even if it makes you ridiculously uncomfortable. Try some new things and look at those around you. Really look at them. Listen to their stories. Tell them your story. You never know what beautiful things could come from it.
No matter what, keep your focus on Christ. He's going to do such a beautiful thing in and through you. Stay open to it, even when it is new or scary. I can't promise it will be easy. Honestly, I can promise you that it will be anything but easy. However, nothing worthwhile is ever easy. The challenges are going to make it so worth it. Don't quit. Don't run. Embrace the beauty that this new season brings. It's going to be great, I promise.
With Love,
Katelynn
PS: the whole "marriage factory" thing is stupid. If it happens, it happens. Don't fret if you graduate single. Life goes on.
