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Student Life

Dear 17-Year-Old Me, Trust The Plan

Looking back, here are some things I wish I had realized when I was, in the words of ABBA, "young and sweet, only 17".

East Carolina University

150

Abby Sweeney

Dear 17 year old me,

This is 18-year-old you writing this. I know it has only been a year, but so much has changed. Everything is different now, and while it seems hard sometimes, everything is changing for the better. Looking back, here are some things I wish I had realized when I was, in the words of ABBA, "young and sweet, only 17".

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Family Friends

A Letter to My Past Self: Naivety Is A Weakness, But It Can Be Overcome

Part 1/2

University of Connecticut

1759

A Letter to My Past Self: Naivety Is A Weakness, But It Can Be Overcome

For years, you've struggled to find a place in this world. Little did you know that it was not a matter of finding, but rather a matter of creating.

Thank you for learning how to avoid conformity. Thank you for learning how to turn a blind eye to the negativity.

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Student Life

To The Girl I Was Six Months Ago, You Couldn't Have Been More Wrong

I thought that heartbreak was a normal thing in love, I couldn't be more wrong.

Kansas State University

406

To The Girl I Was Six Months Ago, You Couldn't Have Been More Wrong

Maddie Oosterink

Every little girl dreams of a day when she'll meet her prince charming (or her princess charming, we don't judge here). When that little girl grows up, she gets into romantic comedies and thinks of the fun and quirky way she'll meet her beloved. What those movies don't tell her is what comes before the director yells "action."

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life stages

Education

Dear Future Self: Keep Your Shit Together This Semester

I know you claim: "This time I'll really stay on top of it!" and then cave after a week. Nope, not this time, sister.

Bowling Green State University

399

Elizabeth Clark

Dear Future Self,

Stop being a little shit and listen up.

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college

Student Life

To My Freshman Self: Little Do You Know, You're About To Embark On The Best Year Of Your Life

And you'll have enough memories to replay in your mind for as long as you live.

Alpharetta, Georgia

instagram.com/shre.ya

Dear Freshman Shreya,

You're quite the eccentric girl, filled with all sorts of levels of sarcasm, enthusiasm and realism (that really borderlines pessimism). It's kind of funny to think back to the first day of high school when you stepped out of the car and actually took a close look at the large buildings of the school. But now, two years later, you have the entire campus memorized like the back of your hand. I still remember how much you took advantage of open house a few days before school began to get a good look at the interior and understand how the school was mapped out.

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reflection

Looking back, here are some things I wish I had realized when I was, in the words of ABBA, "young and sweet, only 17".

1. The few bad races you had during track season senior year? Don't let them get to you so much. It's all just for fun, and at least you are running. Stop getting so worked up over something so small in the long run.

2. The boy you're worried about? Stop worrying about him, or anything he does. You don't need him to be happy.

3. Loosen up! Enjoy your last year of high school just a little bit more.

4. Some people you thought you were friends with, you only were friends with them because you saw them every day. It really shows you who your real friends are, and opens your eyes up. Sometimes people only talked to you because you were there and saw them every day.

5. Never go to bed angry. Try to work out your problems, whether they're with others or just in your head.

6. Treasure every moment. You never know what could happen. Life comes at you so fast, and you never know how quickly some thing could change.

7. It will all work out. Stop panicking that things aren't going as you had planned them. Everything happens for a reason, and it will all eventually work out.

8. The worsts get worse. This sounds awful to say but it's true. The time you thought you hit rock bottom's basement last year was just a preparation. That being said,

9. The bests get better. The best times you had last year, don't even compare to those of this year. It gets so much better.

10. Hold on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy ride! College definitely will not go as you expected it to, and it will be a whole lot different. Although it will be a lot different than you had anticipated, it will be the time of your life, and you'll meet some of the best people you know.

Part 1/2

I thought that heartbreak was a normal thing in love, I couldn't be more wrong.

It will be okay.

I know you claim: "This time I'll really stay on top of it!" and then cave after a week. Nope, not this time, sister.

And you'll have enough memories to replay in your mind for as long as you live.

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