Al,
The next phase of your life is about to begin and it still astounds me that I won’t be around every day to see you through it. I’m the older sister. I’m supposed to watch out for and protect you; I’m supposed to show you how to do things; and it’s my responsibility to help you avoid mistakes. College breaks the blueprint for that. I can give you a list of areas to avoid, but it’s still your job to make this experience your own. Regardless of this, I will impart my final words of wisdom in hopes that it will help ease you into this next big step in your life.
- Force yourself to meet new people. I know you tend to be more introverted until you really get to know someone, but try to step out of that comfort zone. Everyone at school is in the same position as you. They don’t know many others and you’re all going to be forced during Welcome Week to talk about topics that don’t really matter in the long run. However, you never know whom you might hit it off with!
- Finish your schoolwork early. Getting it done during the week can be a struggle when you have so many things to study for, but you will be thanking yourself over the weekend when you can go on an impromptu concert trip to the middle of Chicago.
- Save your money! I know how much you love clothes and I know that it’s so terribly difficult to resist getting a new necklace every time you go to the store, but memories are far greater than items. If you can stop yourself from buying things you don’t really need, you’ll have money left over for the greater things in life.
- Get some sleep. If that means cramming in a nap between classes, then go for it. Obviously don’t pick napping over a fun day out on the town, but no one likes a grumpy girl that’s running on three hours of poor rest.
- Don’t let Netflix take over. An episode here or there of Family Guy is more than acceptable, but don’t let it stop you from being productive. During your free time, seek out friends to hang out with, watch good movies, bake some delicious food, or draw a picture for your favorite person in the whole world (a.k.a. me). Just do something with your day so that when mom and dad call, you won’t be ashamed of giving them a play-by-play.
- Call your big sister. Now that I’m two years through college, I don’t get to have those fun first experiences that happen during freshman and sophomore years. I will now be living vicariously through you, so watch out and be sure to call to update me.
- Let me visit. I won’t bombard you with my incessant desire to just sit on your bed and listen to strange K-Pop music, but an invite to escape my own school every so-often would be ideal.
- Love like you’ve never loved before. May that be with your schoolwork, with the journeys you go on with your friends, with a significant other, or simply with just being alive, make it all count. Arguably, these next four years could be some of the greatest of your life, so make sure to fill every moment with something that adds purpose and meaning.
I cannot wait to see all the changes that are about to occur in your life. I expect to be the first person you call every time you want someone to talk to. You are the funniest, most beautiful, fun-loving, creative, spunky person I have ever met and your school is lucky to have you. Your major will allow you to make works of art, but it is your life that will allow you to make an incredible masterpiece.
I love you with all of my heart,
Abbs
