I have known you from the beginning and I know how you work.

You'll start by going home and hugging your family,

And then crawl into bed and cry yourself to sleep.

You're getting time to really let out the full force of everything you've kept bottled up,

Because during this semester you couldn't allow yourself that luxury.

Such extravagance would only lead to you leading yourself away from the promises,

You made in the past: Do better, don't give up.

I know your limits.

I know that there have been moments where you've had to force yourself to a safe place,

Away from bad habits, bad people who you thought were good.

I know that you punished yourself with pulling all-nighters to make up for the times

Where you let yourself think "It can get done later" and later becomes never.

I know how smart you are,

How much you value your education,

I know that there are also times when you think,

That you'll never be enough, not for a class, not for your family

But you have proved time and time again that you are capable,

Of greatness, both inside and outside of the classroom.

I know you try to put others first,

That you want to show your loved ones all the care and attention they deserve,

But you can also be selfish or try to ignore their problems,

So that you don't get overwhelmed,

With the need to do everything in your ability and even outside of it,

To heal them and make them feel better.

You should know that they will understand,

And no, they don't hate you, not one bit.

I know that sometimes when you put in the most effort,

You can get nothing in return,

That whatever steps you take to become a version of yourself,

Your past self would be proud of,

Don't always lead to success and you're left wanting.

I'm telling you this now so that you'll have something to help if obstacles appear:

You are smarter than you think you are,

Kinder than some people deserve,

Worthy of love, even with all your flaws and mistakes.

You don't need to try and be someone you are not,

Because you are valid in every way,

And don't need to suffer as payment to reaffirm your life.

There will be people you can trust to support you,

Your faith as a pillar to lean on in the times that life is painful.

And above all things know this:

You are worth more than any set of numbers,

So if things don't turn out the best,

You can only rise.