Dear Karyn of the future,
I hope that by this point in your life, you’ve figured out what you want to do because your freshman self has literally no idea. She currently has nightmares almost every night about not figuring it out, turning into an obsolete bum, and dying under the weight of her student loan debt…but it’s fine. Whatever you decide (whether it be working in student affairs, teaching high school, or becoming a college professor), I hope it’s the right decision and that it was worth the agony of waiting and not knowing.
I also hope that Longwood feels a bit more like home after three more years. After a rough start to freshman year, it took all but the last three weeks of school for these feelings to take effect; however, if you can keep them going, it’ll be a miracle. I hope you’ve joined more organizations, actually started that English Club you talked about as a freshman, and made lasting friendships. Just try to keep things in perspective at all times. Don’t let one bad day erase a month’s worth of progress and positivity (as you had a tendency to do as a freshman).
Mostly, I just hope you’re happier than ever before. Fingers crossed that you didn’t peak during your freshman year.
Best,
Freshman Karyn