1.) Trust the journey.
Life is just one big journey with its many ups and downs and bends in the road. It is beautiful and painful all at once. It is confusing and surprising. My journey is unpredictable and challenging, just as it should be. Freshmen year was nothing like I thought it would be, but it was everything I needed it to be. This journey is intended to refine me and force me to grow and that it did. As I reflect I realize how necessary every high and low this year was in making me who I am.
2.) Live unapologetically.
I am who I am. Not to say that I am perfect and won't make mistakes, I will. And when I do I will apologize and strive to learn from them. However, I am not going to live life apologizing for the things about me that might be different. I am a follower of Jesus. I love country music. My family is everything to me. Sometimes I can't figure out how I feel. I talk too much. I feel deeply (sometimes too deeply). My emotions can get the best of me. I am an amazing person. I am striving to become more of the person I need to be, but the process won't be perfect. God knows that because he created me. I already have the approval of the one who truly matters and constantly searching for the approval of others is not only pointless, but painful.
3.) Live in the moment.
Cliche, I know, but nonetheless true! Life is full of beautiful moments that you need to be apart of. Sometimes the only thing you need to do is say "yes". And remember that time will fly and you will never regret the moments you decided to jump in that car for the midnight beach trip or go to that concert.
4.) The college bubble.
So you may have never heard this term but I've decided it needs to become a thing. It is real! Going to college I myself got sucked into it. It is, by definition, the feeling that college is all there is and nothing exists outside of your campus. It is a very selfish and immature view, I'll give you that. However, it still manifests itself in many ways: sacrificing your mental health for the sake of schoolwork, or neglecting your old (and awesome) friends for the new college ones, it is the inability to think of life after college and therefore the fact that some consequences of decisions you make now may come post college. For me the college bubble was evident in the way I felt about myself. I started to base my security on college- grades, friends, and how well I fit in. However, college isn't the end-all be-all. Life continues after college. Some of my friends are gonna have a pretty heavy hit when they realize this, especially the consequences that may come from the college bubble. Therefore, I've decided that college is great, but it isn't all there is to life. Keep perspective, friends!
5.) You can go home again.
A final but invaluable lesson. You may no longer live there majority of the year and it may never feel quite the same, but home is still home. It is still a safety net and a comforting meal. Home is a blessing not to be taken lightly. It is your last resort, your first call, and everything in between. Sometimes when everything else is falling apart all it takes is a trip back to this sacred place to put it all back together. So don't ever think you can't go home again.
As I sit on my front porch drinking my coffee with my dogs napping nearby, I can't help but feel yet another chapter in my life is coming to a close. It feels so good to have one year under my belt and I may flatter myself into believing the I am wiser for it. Freshmen year has taught me a lot and I hope I can take my new wisdom into the coming years and continue to grow and live life to the fullest.
and I am truly going to miss wilmington this summer.
your favorite college sophomore,
~haley grace
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