Dear 17-year-old me,
I am writing to you as a 22-year-old college student, my endeavors have included going to college classes and living on my own for a couple years. I have come to realize that I no longer believe some of the things I did when I was 17. I have a few things to tell you, as a 22-year-old college student I have learned a few knacks for life.
When I was a freshman in high school, a lot of people told me that this would be the best four years of my life. This was one of the biggest lies I’ve been told. These moments do not make up the best part of your life. These four years will be some of the best and some of the worst. This all depends on how you spend your high school career. I wish I would have tried out for more sports or paid attention in the classes that my school offered for free. I wish I would have done a lot. However, this was not the best four years of my life. I believe that the best four years of your life are in your undergraduate career in college. I think this is the best because it is a time when we are able to figure out who we are. We can discover amazing things without harsh judgement that high school can bring. Discovering who you are may or may not happen in high school. I figured out a lot about myself in college. I was able to live on my own and make my own mistakes. In making a lot of mistakes, I realized that it was OK to make mistakes. I also learned that sometimes to grow, mistakes need to happen. Mistakes do not define you. Mistakes are a thing you do not understand until after they happen.
When I finally moved out of my parent’s house and into my own apartment, I quickly realized that my perfect little world was about to be shattered. Suddenly, I was responsible for bills and making sure I woke up for an important class. My parents were not there to hold me accountable. My parents used to wake me up for school, make me dinner, and buy me clothes that I needed. I was now responsible for my own well being and making sure I was making good decisions. I also learned that living with a good friend may not always be the best idea. When you have your first roommate you also don’t have to be best friends.
I was not popular in high school, not even a little bit. I had my own friend group but I was never that girl. When I first started college I realized everyone was a little bit lost, except for the college seniors. College is a place for new beginnings, everyone is doing their own thing. No one really cares if you were the most popular girl in high school. No one really notices the way you dress unless you are naked. You will not always have friends to hang out with every day of the week. I actually enjoy some alone time to eat my lunch. However, when I had a meal plan I used to find a group of people that was also going to the dining hall. This is one of the best ways to make friends.
To the girls who criticize you: You are stronger than this, you are worth more than their words. The things they say about you do not decide your future. The rumors people spread are not always true. People can be mean. It’s still OK to be nice even if others aren’t nice to you. To the boys who don’t want you: It’s OK, and you are going to find that fairytale. Just not today. To the boy who only wanted you for sex: it’s OK if you don’t want to. To the people who said I wouldn’t make it this far: I have. To the teachers who believed in me until I believed in myself: Thank you, I couldn’t have done this without you.
To my parents: Thank you for raising me to live and to love, to forgive and forget. Thank you for preparing me for the best adventures in life and teaching me to take chances. Thank you for being my parents. I wouldn’t be here without you. I wouldn’t be who I am without your guidance. I am thankful for all of the life lessons I learned the hard way. I am even more thankful that I had you to help me through the bumps in the road.
Dear 17-year-old me. . . call your parents.
Sincerely,
22-year-old me
