Lil nug-
I cannot believe you will soon be going off to your first year of college. It seems like just yesterday you were starting your first year of high school. Where have the years gone? I am so incredibly proud of you for continuing with music in college. That’s something I wasn’t able to do, even just for fun. I can’t wait to see where your musical talent goes from here. I can’t wait for you to experience the “real world”. I will always be here to listen to your crazy college stories since you heard so many of mine.
Along the lines of crazy college stories, please always make sure you are safe. Pepper spray will be your best friend when walking around campus by yourself at night. Know your limit with alcohol and don’t take any drinks from random people, and be wary of drinks you get from your friends too. You never know what is actually in it. Always make sure someone knows where you are if you are going somewhere by yourself. The city and campus you will be living at is nice, but that doesn’t mean every person you meet is also nice. Be smart and make safe choices and you will do great. I know this is stuff mom and dad have told you before, and I know that you already know, but these are things that, in the heat of the moment, are easily forgettable.
You will have lots of emotions on move-in day, and that is completely normal. As much as I wanted to get away from home, I secretly was crying for most of the ride to school on my freshman move-in day. It is scary because it is a new start, in a city you aren’t familiar with, with all sorts of new experiences. It is also one of the best things you will go through, you will meet some of your best friends here, and if you aren’t already grown up enough, college forces you to become independent.
I will miss you a lot. Especially since I can’t just call home and talk to you. I will actually have to make a separate phone call to talk to you, which is kind of inconvenient but it’s fine. I will also come visit you and then you can show me around which will be fun. Mom and dad will be empty nesters. This means they will get a hot tub (maybe), which will make coming home even more fun. Also, make sure you call mom at least once a month to update her on your life because otherwise she will text you and tell you to call later that day when dad is home from work.
I also suggest you get a job somewhere. School always comes before work, so you need to find a balance, but while mom and dad are paying for your first two years, you really need to save up as much money as possible. College isn’t cheap, and you will realize that your sophomore year when it’s almost time for you to start paying. Then you will realize how broke you actually are and then you will probably get two jobs and still have to take out loans. It sucks, but it’s worth it. I also suggest you find somewhere besides your dorm room to practice your saxophone because people in the hall will get very annoyed with you, very quickly.
Don’t forget to have fun! College is about the experience. Get involved in clubs, hang out with your friends, do intramural sports even if you suck, go outside and explore. You don’t need to study every second of the day; that gets old real fast. Don’t sign yourself up for 8 a.m’s. Even though right now you wake up at the crack of dawn for high school, there’s no way you will be able to put on the amount of makeup you currently do if you have 8 a.m’s because, in college, this weird thing happens to you. Suddenly, you always want to sleep in. I have found that even 9 a.m's. are hard to get up for.
I hope you know how proud I am of you, and how excited I am for you. I love you lots; you will do incredible things.
Love,
Big Nug
