Dear Me,

Hey me, it’s you. Junior year you; wiser, older, more mature (if that’s what you want to call it) you. I’ve got some things I want to say to you, some things you need to know before you continue on your college journey, things that will definitely help you along the way. I promise you the things that you’re about to read are going to be unbelievable coming from me, well you, and if I know you, well me, you won’t listen to any of it, but please try to keep an open mind because, after all, I am the more mature one here.

First thing’s first, the high school boyfriend that you love more than anything else in the whole world is not your whole world. I know at this point he has become a part of who you are and you plan on marrying him and having kids and loving him for the rest of your life, sorry to say, that’s not in your future. I know how much that sucks to hear, believe me because I’ve already been through the horrible breakup that you’ll have soon. Please remember while this might seem like the most devastating thing to ever happen to you, it’s not, nowhere close. You are meant to be more than a house wife with 2.5 kids and a white picket fence. You are more than your high school relationship, the reason he’s your high school boyfriend and not your college boyfriend is because people change. I promise you that everything will work out for the best in the end.

Secondly, the sorority that you kind of like right now will become something you love. Don’t get me wrong, you will have moments where you absolutely can’t stand going to chapter or exec (that’s right you made it onto exec), there will be moments when your sister make you so angry you want to cry, but those same girls who made you so upset? They’ll be there when you’re fighting with your dad and they’ll be there be when your confidence is so low you’ve lost yourself and don’t know where to turn. The friendships that you’re about to make will be ones where you think about your future, and the same girls are standing right beside you, supporting you in everything that you do. Tell them that you love them and are thankful for them often, because, and believe me when I tell you this, on the list of friends you’re the annoying and needy one.

Third, it’s alright to get a C in a class or two (DO NOT TAKE CHEMISTRY). You’ll still keep your scholarship, make grades for the sorority, and your GPA still doesn’t suck that bad. I know you’re living that 4.0 life, but all good things must come to an end. Don’t stress yourself out, we both know you’re smart enough to earn great grades without freaking out so much.

Fourth, go out! Want to know why you hate school so much? Why you want to transfer home? Because you don’t do anything! You don’t go out, you don’t socialize, you stay in your dorm and text your boyfriend all day because you’re more worried about his happiness than your own. I know what you’re doing right now, rolling your eyes and thinking, "that’s not true, band parties are boring, it’s the same old thing every weekend here and I have so much more fun at home." Wrong. First off, you will always hate band parties but everything changes when you turn 19, you’ll discover a beautiful place called the booty dome and you shut it down every weekend to the lovely sound of Roscoe Dash "No Hands." The reason you think you that you have more fun at home is because you haven’t found your awesome friends yet who would do anything for you. Go find them! One of them is probably lost somewhere in a gutter and the other is probably at home sleeping (go wake her up, it’s funny when she’s mad). You have so many amazing, fun memories you could be making right now, so go out and make them.

Fifth and finally, tell your big thank you. She has been your rock and such a source of comfort for you and to be honest, you take her for granted. As you make new friends, remember that your big was always your first one and the person you can always go to for anything. Try not to give her so much sass because one day you will receive a little and she will be as sassy as you times two. Trust me when I say, the bond that you have with your big is something you don’t see in the sorority often. The memories you make with her in the future will be ten times more wild and crazy than the ones you’re making with her now, just ask grandbig about her wedding.

Remember that college is something you only get to live through once, if you don’t flunk junior year, and that this is the time for you to become the girl you’ve always wanted to be. You’re strong willed and hard headed, but you’re also loving and kind and nice, sometimes. You work really hard and looking back, I can’t believe we made it this far. You have worked so hard and have done amazing so far, I know you don’t get told that often. You are worth love and affection and are worthy of all the blessings God has given you and will give you in the future, even though you like to tell yourself you’re not. I’m so proud of you and the things you have accomplished and the things you will but haven’t accomplished just yet. When things get hard, keep your head up, lean on your friends and God, and keep on keeping on because you will make it through; this letter is proof of that.

I love you and will see you soon,

Me