A Letter to Myself

By Sami Dugdale
Blog Content Contributor

With just only a few weeks left of this semester, classes are starting to simmer down in preparation for final exams and I’ve had a little bit of time to reflect on my first semester of college. There are a lot of things I’ve learned and experienced this semester that I am so thankful for. While this was an overall great semester, there are many things I would like to be better at and work on for next semester. This is a letter to myself next semester.

Dear Sami,

I know you’ve had a pretty busy semester with all of the difficult classes and adjusting to living in a new place, but I think you’ve done a good job at working around it. You’ve made some really great friends, but next semester you should really work to be more outgoing. I know you’re an introverted person, but try going to more events on campus, attend the boring hall events and meet as many new people as possible.

Also, please try to make more time for yourself. I know this last semester you were really concerned with your grades and keeping up with all of your classes, but that also meant that you spent more time at the library than you did actually hanging out with people. Set a couple hours a day to take a break for yourself. This could mean going to dinner with some friends or watching a few episodes of whatever show you’re currently watching on Netflix, whatever it is, just make sure you’re not stressing yourself out over little things.

Next, don’t let your loneliness bring you down. You are going to be lonely a lot. That doesn’t necessarily mean that your friends don’t want to hang out with you, it just means that everyone is busy doing their own thing. That has nothing to do with you as a person, so chill out. Embrace your loneliness and use that time to work on yourself. Read a book (I know that’s something you haven’t done in a while), write a short story (another thing you haven’t done in a while) or just paint your nails and make some popcorn.

After one more semester, you will officially have gotten through your first year of college without having a mental breakdown, congratulations. While you’ve done a good job so far, keep in mind that there are areas in which you can improve yourself as a person and make college that much easier.

Maybe you can write another one of these for yourself sophomore year. That’s scary to say, but you can do it.

Love, your pal, Sami

Featured image by Sami Dugdale.