To the old me,

Eighteen years old & scared to death of leaving her parents home for college. The old me who lacked confidence, didn't have a "tribe" of friends, hated meeting new people & the painfully awkward conversations that occur when meeting someone new. To the old me who had (and still has) chronic RBF, the old me who started out unapproachable because she was afraid of being judged & disliked. To the old me suffering from mental health issues while dealing with her transition into young adulthood in a new city & being afraid of asking for help.

1. It's okay to be afraid, it wouldn't be something you really wanted if you weren't afraid of losing it.

2. Leave your home & your hometown. There's so much more out there in the world.

3. You're going to fail. Don't let it break you. Pick back up & start again.

4. Put yourself first, choose the career you want for yourself, the one that will bring you the most joy & happiness for your lifetime. Even if it's not the choice that makes you lots of money in the end.

5. Live the life you want to live. Not everyone will agree with every choice you make, the best part is... it's your life, not theirs.

6. Love yourself.

7. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

8. Be patient with yourself & stick up for yourself.

9. Don't let something minuscule destroy your relationships & friendships with people who matter to you.

10. Let yourself make mistakes & learn from them.

11. Be confident in yourself & your abilities. You're far more able then you believe.

12. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for being unapologetically yourself.

13. Stop planning everything. Live in the moment.

14. Give yourself time.

This isn't anywhere near how I thought my last semester of my undergraduate degree would go but my college career and where I'm at in life hasn't gone according to the plan 18 year old me had so thoughtfully mapped out. I've learned so much over the last 5 years since high school, all things I wish I could have told myself back then. So, for all of you who are newly 18 years old, ready to leave their childhood homes, you can do it.