Dear Self,

Mom and Dad told you on freshmen move-in day that the next four years will go by in the blink of an eye. You were so excited to start the adventure of a lifetime, that you did not want to believe them. You went through freshmen year, sophomore year and junior year faster than you would have liked. You worked your hardest in all of your classes, had life-changing professors and ones that drove you crazy, found your passion, got involved in clubs, took leadership positions, studied abroad and joined greek life. If there was a checklist for all of the activities and experiences that you could get involved in while at school, you could mark several of those boxes after just three years.

Now, senior year is staring at you right in the face. The past three years have been a build up to this one. This is your time to shine. It is your time to start making decisions that will impact your life for years to come. This is your year to impress graduate schools and future employers. You get to decide where you want your first job to be, where you want to go to graduate school and what place will help you develop the most. You get to make the decision if you want to leave the state, leave the country or go back home. This is the only time in your life where you will be your number one priority; don't loose sight of that. This is your time to make mistakes and to work your hardest for very little pay. Dreams are goals that take work and that is why achieving them is the most gratifying feeling.

You have dreamed about what life would be like after school ever since you were a little kid. You dreamed of success, getting married, starting a family, having children and living in the home of your dreams. There is no reason why you can't achieve them.

Do not loose sight of the child in you that wanted to do it all. Never doubt that you can do something and do not be afraid to take risks. Some of the greatest intellectual minds say that there is no reward without any risk. If you are afraid to move somewhere because you think you may never make friends, don't be. You moved 1,000 miles away from home and managed to make friends, even people that you consider to be family. There is no reason why you can't do it again. If you are afraid that you may not get into any of the graduate programs that you applied to, don't be. You had the same worry when you were applying to college and someone accepted you. If you are afraid of failing, don't be. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. Our mistakes help us grow into better people. If you are afraid of not having a plan once you get to where you are going, don't be. You have an intelligent head on your shoulders and a caring heart that has gotten you far. If you are afraid of not getting a job, don't be. Your résumé, your personality and your passion will speak for itself.

It is the night before you leave for your senior year. You know that every chapter in your book has to come to an end at one point. You can't slow time down, but you can choose how you spend it and how you cherish every moment. Live this year up to its fullest potential and create the greatest memories that you can. Don't worry about where your future is headed because it will all work out. Never forget to love yourself first as you make every decision. When one door closes, another door is opening with an adventure tucked right behind it.

Love Always,

Self