Day 1

"If the you of today could go back in time and give advice to any of the previous yous, which age would you visit and what would you tell them?"


Dear 17-year-old self,
  I know it seems very much like your entire world has collapsed around you.  Your throat is tight every time your best friends talk about the amazing schools they're going to.  It's hard to sleep at night thinking about the uncertainty of the next four years.  The fake happiness you have for your friends is quickly fading as summer begins. 
  Your first year at Lebanon Valley College will be rough.  There will be lonely nights, a guy will mistreat your heart, you will mistake superficial friendships for genuine ones.  But I'm here to tell you that it will give you the strength to realize you can truly do anything you chose.  The following three years will be the best of your life.  
  Things will work out, your hard work will pay off, you will meet the girlfriends you've always dreamed of having, you'll go to bars, meet nice guys, and have everything you always dreamed college would be and more.  You will have your once-in-a-lifetime study abroad experience in Spain that will make you the woman you are today (as your 24-year-old self).
  My advice is never ever to give up when things don't work out.  By now after 17 years you've realized that the paths you chose rarely work out (and this will remain a trend unfortunately) the way you picture in your mind.  However, everything will work out in the end.


Love,
your 24-year-old self