Reading my letter to my senior self I wrote as a freshman I realize how much I have matured and grown throughout college. It is interesting to see what expectations I had for college as a freshman and what things I thought would last throughout my entire Longwood experience. Most of my expectations freshman year did not happen, or did not happen the way I anticipated they would. However, other goals and activities presented themselves to me and I am very grateful for these changes, because they helped me find new passions and personal growth.

Looking back at all of the classes I have taken at Longwood, I realize how much I have learned in so many different fields and how it all ends up tying together. For instance, I learned about climate change’s effect on impoverished people in an English class, which later helped me better understand the medical impacts of climate change in my community nursing class. I learned about religion and the lack there of in a religion class with Dr. Blincoe, which later helped me write an argumentative paper about the meaning of life in my philosophy independent study. After my freshman year I added a philosophy minor, which greatly expanded my view on ethics and human socialization. This helped me create connections in many of my other classes. Comparing my current view of the world and what I need to do to help it grow in positive ways to my opinions freshman year, I have a much more holistic viewpoint and better skills to make actual change.

I also have grown so much as a nurse. I feel confident doing many skills that used to make me so nervous, liking IV insertion and infusions, talking to patients and their families, and even just turning patients in bed. My clinicals helped me grow as a nurse and as a citizen leader by teaching me invaluable lessons about communication, understanding people’s needs, and accomplishing those needs by finding the right resources, even if it means having conversations people are often uncomfortable with.

It is safe to say a lot of my expectations and goals from freshman year did not happen, but I am grateful for it. I have a better vision of who I am and what I want to bring into the world. I also have greatly learned how to deal with stress and adversity, which was certainly difficult, but will be beneficial later on. And yes, freshman Leah, I did get a nursing job. I am going to work in the neuro ICU at UVA hospital and couldn’t be more excited or proud.