One of my favorite songs is "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw. It's a reminder to treat others with respect and to practice humility. But most importantly, it's a reminder to never forget where you came from, no matter how far you go or how successful you become. One line that really stands out to me is this:

When you get where you're goin',
don't forget turn back around.
Help the next one in line.
Always stay humble and kind.

I think this rings true for us college students and our college breaks. In high school, we were the definition of dreamers: we dreamed of escaping the small towns we had lived in for our whole lives, discovering ourselves and our purposes in college, and eventually moving on to big city livin' with the career of our dreams. These are all great goals to strive for and I encourage you all to keep dreaming and achieving your ambitions.

But what I tend to notice is that many students get caught up in these dreams and in their new lives. It's great to hear you are doing well in school and that you are enjoying your new friends. Yet, I believe it is important to remember where you came from. More likely than not, you were not alone in the journey to your dreams. Growing up, there were people in your lives--parents, grandparents, friends, family members, coworkers, teachers--who helped you construct your own pathway in life. They helped you build a solid foundation and added stepping stones throughout the years. At graduation, they sent you off down the path alone, confident in your abilities to accomplish the big dreams you had had for so many years before.

Do not forget these people. I know that's easier said than done, especially with the small amounts of time you spend at home in a single year. It is difficult to find time to see the people you grew up with. But I hope that when you accomplish everything you wanted to in life, you remember those who helped you reach your goals and you thank them. Thank those who helped you in your career, but also thank those who helped you to become you, those who had an impact on your life. Try your hardest to visit them during breaks because while what they did for you means a lot, letting them know you still care and think about what they did for you means so much more to them.

I encourage you to spend at least an hour--it only takes an hour--to catch up with those who helped shape you when you are home for your next break. Not only will they be thankful, but you will be thankful as you remind yourself of your roots and the strength they gave you to achieve your biggest dreams. So go to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Sunday dinner. Have family movie night with Mom, Dad, and the siblings. Grab coffee with an old friend. Visit your high school teachers. And most importantly, say thank you. Thank you for making me, well...me.

And who knows? By rediscovering your roots, you might find a small seedling in need of guidance, and you can return the favor by helping them bloom.