A letter to future me.
Dear Future Nina,
I would like to start this letter off by asking about if we stayed at Longwood or transferred to the university near our house. If not, what made you decide to stay. Most of my thoughts about the future are just questions about who and where I will be. Another thing I know we thought about is switching our major. If we did, which major did we end up deciding on? 4 years from now I will have already graduated and be in the workforce.
I know that one of our main goals as of now is to just make it through freshmen year with A’s and B’s, so I hope we were able to do accomplish it. I know I’m capable to achieve my dreams, so I don’t doubt graduating. I found out statistics is a class that psychology majors are required to take so I really hope we’re able to make it through that without an F.
Did you find people who want to be friends with us for us? I was hoping to join clubs and find organizations that I’m not only interested in but passionate about. Are there people who look up to us and what we accomplished at Longwood? Did we become closer to anyone from our floor?
What career path did we end up deciding on through the course of our journey through Longwood. I know that we really wanted to be an accountant but won’t go for it. Did we end up finding a career through one of our classes? My dream job after an accountant is just working remotely, so did we find anything like that, or did we decide to work in person instead? My last question is if we found a home at Longwood instead of going home every weekend like we currently are.
Dear Nina,
Your piece has a lot of wonder to it and hopefully you find the answers you need to see how you will be successful in life. I do have quite a few questions about you piece off what I read to make it a little more sense to me. Why do you think you might later transfer or stay at Longwood? Why do you think that is something you might later consider doing and do you have any reasoning that longwood might not be the best fit for you. If you would end up transferring, what university would you consider transferring to? What are some universities that are close to home for you and how far are you from Longwood? And where is your hometown located? As of right now what is your major? But what is the major you dream of having if it happens to be completely different from your major now. And also why did you pick the major you have now and what attracted you to it or what caught your interest in that specific major. Why did you at one point consider changing your major and did you think about that more than once. If there was any major you could consider changing to what it would be and why? It is good to have a goal about your grades, especially in college. It is good you want to have A’s and B’s along with having that high expectation for accomplishing those grades. Some people when they get to college they are fine with having “passing grades” because it is fine that is good you are focusing on your grades. Have you made any friends at Longwood that you did not know before coming here and did you already know people who go here prior to coming to longwood.
Dear Nina,
First of all, thank you for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. College is definitely a new experience for all of us. I have also had my moments of doubt here consistently. From what I’ve read, you seem to be on the right track. If we aren’t asking ourselves some of these questions and acting “put together”, then we aren’t going through life right. All of your thoughts and feelings are completely normal. I know you spoke on just making it through, but I want you to thrive here. Once you have that mindset, everything else will fall into place. I’m a psych major too, so I’m not really excited about that statistics class. As far as switching your major, I know it’s cloudy now, but sometimes all it takes is that one class. We’re new here. It’s no pressure to have it all figured out right now. Being homesick is completely understandable, this is unfamiliar territory. Personally, I call my mom everyday. I also understand the not being really close with people in your dorm yet. In my experience, small talk on the elevator or in the laundry room goes a long way. I can honestly say I see a lot of myself in your mindset. We’re all so young, so it’s okay to slow down. But most of all, give yourself some grace and be present in your life. College isn’t forever. This is your life, no one else can live for you. Please don’t b afraid to put yourself out there. My dad always told me: “You only miss the shots you don’t take.” So as overwhelming as this can be, it’s nothing you can’t get past. From your aspirations, I see a very bright future life ahead of you. But don’t forget to brighten your life right now as well. Good luck, Nina.
Best regards,
Angel
Dear Nina,
I love how optimistic you are about graduating college and not considering dropping out like many unfortunate students who are no longer students. Changing your major is not uncommon, there are many stories of people who have changed their major within their first two years because they realize there is something else that passionate them even more than what they originally applied for. If accounting is what you currently like, you should go for it or do a deeper research on it so that you can see whether it is for you or not. I see you also are considering changing schools. The first year is tough for many students as they are away from home and everything they know and are accustomed to, but do not let those feelings discourage you from continuing your journey here at Longwood University! You just need to keep testing the waters and get used to it here, this could also be helpful to you in the sense that you won’t always be close to your family or live the way you are used to, and this will help you be more okay with that change in your life. You seem like a very motivated and smart individual and as long as you keep that mentality of getting A’s and B’s I’m sure you can most certainly get them! Colleges are filled with people from different places, backgrounds and beliefs, you are more than likely to meet someone who matches your cup of tea more than you thought they would. You are constantly put in situations where you have to work with others so friendships are bound to blossom. Longwood University offers so many clubs you are bound to find one that interests you. Your family members who are rooting for you as well as your friends will all be proud of you for taking this big step of going to college and rocking through it because many don’t have the courage to take this step in their lives. It is only the beginning of your freshman year, at some point you will find the job that you will love so much it won’t even seem like a job! College is here to help you learn more about yourself and your future, mostly yourself. Ah yes, the weekly home visit, who doesn’t love it? As long as it is what helps your peace then you should definitely go home every weekend, you already spend five days a week here, go spend some time with your friends and family on the only two days that you are free to do so, there’s nothing wrong with having multiple homes. Nina, you are a bright person with a bright future, as long as you don’t let anything dim your light, you will achieve all that you wish for.