This semester I am teaching a section of First Year Studies at UPIKE. It is a class that is geared toward helping students transition from high school to college and helping them feel at home on campus. One of their first assignments is to write a letter to themselves that they will turn in this week and it will be mailed back to them on the last week of their first year of school. To introduce myself to them and give them ideas for their assignment, I wrote a letter to myself as a freshman in college to share with them. It was fun and let me do a little reminiscing. I thought I would share it here.
Dear Class,
If I was writing to me as a college freshman, what would I want me to know? First, college is going to be some of the best years of your life. You’re away from home and can finally be you without any expectations. It is unbelievably freeing.
The friendships and Spiritual Life here will be deeper and more meaningful than you ever could have imagined. Believe it or not, you’ll make life long friends here and find clubs and activities that you love. You’ll grow as a person and as a leader. In four years, you’ll be that Senior you look up to. I know. Crazy, right?
It won’t all be sunshine and roses. There will be that math final you miss parties to study for and still bomb. Great Grandma will get sick and you’ll be the most homesick you’ve ever been in your life. There will be days when you feel alone and like a failure, but you’ll get through it. Because even when you feel alone, you’re not; you’re already and always part of the campus community.
College is also about so much more than classes. Those mission trips will change your life forever. You can’t study all the time, but you have to be wise. That all-nighter you’ll do to pass the Chemistry final? Worth It. The Computer Science project you’ll turn in unfinished because you talked a friend through a hard time? Also Worth It. When the time comes, you’ll know the difference.
Follow your heart but don’t be foolish. Take risks, have fun, and be a little crazy. Its cliche but true, you’re really only this young once. Enjoy it, its going to be awesome.
Love,
Sarah at 25
p.s. Your husband is living in the dorm next to yours and he’s so much more wonderful than you can imagine right now. See, I told you, the next 4 years? Some of the best. ❤
Adventures of Our Own 
And students… don’t forget to write your Mother once & awhile. Those letters she will cherish forever!
Luv ya!
MOM