I’m so proud of you for working so hard to get here. This is the start of a new chapter… one filled with so much growth & excitement & good. As you begin the next four years of college, remind yourself that–despite what you may see on Instagram–the goal is not perfection, the goal is wholeness.
The goal is to soak it all up, to put yourself out there, to take chances, to feel the amazing moments & the hard ones, too. College is not about finding yourself so much as it is about continuing to find yourself. Which, I’m now realizing, is not solely constrained to the timeline of four years. This process is lifelong and as life evolves, so too, do we. Release the pressure from yourself to figure it all out in the first semester of college and, instead, focus on the day in front of you,
on the people in front of you,
and on the moment in front of you.
Transitions can sometimes be scary… and though I know you’re so ready for a fresh start and a new adventure to begin in college, give yourself the grace to feel however you truly feel. The end of one chapter does not mean the end of the entire book; it signals the start of the next part of the story. I’m learning that the bittersweetness in the transition is part of what makes life so dang special… the presence of both overwhelming excitement for the new to come mixed with the sadness of what was is what makes life whole.
Seek out the kind of people who will love you unconditionally; the kind of people who point you closer to who God made you to be. Remind yourself that sororities & formals & tailgates & thousands of new cute pics on your camera roll are part of the fun, but at the end of the day, do you feel known? Do you feel seen? Look for the people that will stay up late and get to know you–all of you–in your PJs on a Tuesday.
Take chances. Be brave…whatever that looks like for you. Expand who you are while staying true to who you are. Trust that you’re meant to be at this school, at this place, at this time, for a reason.
Let yourself be alone sometimes. Soak up all the moments with people around you. But also soak up the sweet moments of silence where you can take it all in; where you can process all that’s happening and fully feel it.
Sometimes you might feel homesick & a little bit lonely. Despite all the new people & friendships & sorority things, you might have moments where you miss your mom. And in those moments, despite all of your being telling you that you should feel okay, let yourself be not okay. Maybe even cry a little. Part of what makes college so sweet is that you can be so freaking excited about being away & growing & living on your own while also missing the comfort of home. It’s okay to acknowledge that bittersweetness.
Trust God’s plan for you. Trust yourself. Trust that it’s all gonna work out exactly how it’s meant to. When you feel overwhelmed by figuring it all out, take a deep breath and remember that you don’t have to. There’s already a plan in place for your life that’s so much bigger and better than anything you could ever imagine. Take it one step at a time.
Soak it all up. Every late night study sesh & early morning walks to class & all the adventures along the way. Get ready for four years of fun & growth & learning & challenging & so much newness. I can’t wait to see you shine.
I believe in you.
Always,
Elle