During my spring semester of my sophomore year I took a psychology class as an elective to work my way toward a degree. One of our final assignments given by the professor was to write a letter to yourself. I always liked this concept because it is an opportunity to get things off your chest and something I can always re-read and reflect on. Once in awhile I scroll through my Macbook file folders and come across this letter. And even though I wrote this as a naive, college sophomore -- most of what is written still applies and always will.

After thinking about this semester and even this school year as a whole, I found that a couple lessons stand out in my mind. I believe they will always apply no matter my age, environment, the people I am surrounded by or simply my place in life.

While many things stayed the same your second year in college, there have definitely been some big changes. You had new experiences and every day has made a great impact on your life. The most important lesson to remember is to not let things bother you too much. This may be pretty difficult for you, but try to let go of what you cannot change. It is not worth your time to be stressed out or worried about something that is already set in stone and completely out of your control.

I view being thoughtful as a positive characteristic, but over-thinking every conversation and situation is not going to do you any good. Accept the way things are because they are the way they are for a reason. Eventually you will understand why.

Change is good -- even if it may not seem that way in the moment. Moving away from a house you lived in your whole life will take more than a little getting-used to. But when you are spending time with your family and friends in your new house, I know you are eventually going to be happy there.

When you are upset about the things you don't have, remember everything you do have. A boy who hurt your feelings and does not talk to you anymore is not worth it -- you will truly realize this when you find that special someone who is worth it. Great things take time and are worth waiting for. Having an optimistic attitude can go a long way.

Take more chances because you do not want to look back on your life and think about all of the things you could have done but chose not to because you were scared. Maybe this means studying abroad in Italy.

Lastly, try to be more outgoing and stand up for yourself. You have already come such a long way. Do not be too shy and let people walk all over you.

I know this is a lot to focus on, but I am just trying to help you.

I did grow to like my new house, studying abroad was easily the best experience I ever had and the boys who choose to ignore me will always be missing out.