Dear Jaiden,
First off, congratulations on your acceptance into San Diego State University! Words cannot describe how proud of you I am in this moment. I'm proud of you not just because you are going to be attending one of the top colleges in the nation but because you are pursuing your dreams and you're breaking free from our hometown, Oxnard, Calif.
When you attend SDSU in the Fall of 2017, SDSU will have gained a third Davis sister, making you a triple legacy of SDSU. Although your older sisters have attended SDSU, you don't have to worry about "following in our footsteps." This journey is all yours. The path that you choose is entirely your own. And we'll be by your side the entire way.
While I know that you are entirely capable of defending yourself and fighting for who and what you believe in, just know that I'll always be in your corner. No matter what. With that being said, there are some things that I won't be able to protect you from, these will be lessons that you will have to learn on your own. As your big sister, it is my responsibility to warn you that there will be obstacles that will attempt to block your path in these next four years but know that you can handle anything and everything that is thrown your way.
When you're homesick.
Lucky for you, both of your older sisters will be in San Diego for your freshman year of college. But, there will be times when you'll miss our family back home. When this happens, don't be afraid to pick up the phone. We are all rooting for you and we are all proud of you and your accomplishments.
Remember that not every person is supposed to serve as a blessing, sometimes their purpose is to serve as a lesson.
Over the course of your life, you are going to meet people that change your life for the better and for the worse. While you are at SDSU, God will put a variety of people on your path. Enjoy the company of everyone that comes your way. Everyone comes into your life to serve a purpose, some people stay longer than others but regardless, they came into your life to serve as exactly what you needed in that moment. Don't dwell on how things could have been, just appreciate the situation for what it is.
When you feel overwhelmed with your classes, don't let the stress of your assignments bring you down.
It's normal to feel overwhelmed! Believe me, if you wait until the last minute (like I do) you will just end up bringing unnecessary hardship upon yourself. When you feel like the weight of all of your classes is upon you, take a couple of minutes out of your day to remind yourself of who YOU are. You come from a long line of strong women and you can handle anything and everything that is sent your way.
When you don't have enough money to pay your bills and buy groceries, lean on your family and the resources at school to get you through.
I know that you'll be working but life in college is really expensive. This is the first time that you are actually on your own. While it is your responsibility to make sure that your bills get paid, know that my door is always open and mom and dad will always help you when you need it.
When someone criticizes your major choice, remember that you are majoring in what you love and what you are passionate about.
SDSU is an amazing school and I'm not just saying that because I go here. All of the majors at SDSU are impacted, meaning that there are only a certain amount of spots per year for that major. SDSU was named one of the Top 381 Colleges by the Princeton Review, putting SDSU in the top 5 percent of schools in the nation. A degree from SDSU sets you apart from all the other graduates.
Watching you blossom into the beautiful, inspiring, fierce young woman that you are today has truly been a blessing; I could not have asked God to create a better little sister for me. You know that you can always call on me and I'll be there in a heartbeat, to help you tackle any problem that comes your way and if necessary, stand up and fight for you when you cannot fight for yourself. I love you so so much and I cannot wait to see you on campus in the fall.
All of my love,
Jerralyn
