Reflecting About College While Living in the Present

It is that time of year again. There is a slight chill in the air, some leaves may have started to change their color, the sun is setting earlier each day. Change is in the air, and as the clock ticks down to September, you find yourself dreading the thought of "back to school” not because of the assignments, or the classes, or even ALL those meetings, but because you have already graduated.

For many alumni, and I would say especially those whom are Greek, this time of year always makes us reflect on our time at college, and in many ways, makes us yearn for that same carefree life style.

We look back and remember so many wonderful things about college and a part of us wants to go back to that.

To this day, and mind you it has been just about 2 years, I still get a certain feeling of.... well, something I can't exactly put into words, as I watch from the "social media sidelines" as my friends, little, sorority sisters, even my biological sister start a new year in college.

Here is the thing to remember (especially if you just graduated and your exceptionally emotional about not going back), while your will always carry your college years in your heart, you have to believe that college has prepared you for something even better, something real, raw, and personal, something designed just for you, and that is your life.

So as you watch from Facebook as everyone heads back to the safe walls of their universities, remember that your college years were amazing, they already changed you, so now it's time for them to change others, as you go out and change the world!

SGT Founder Brooke posted this the other day, It goes perfectly with this blog.

A Letter to my Freshman Self

 Dear freshman me,

It’s currently January 31, 2015 and that means that it’s been about a month and a half since you graduated from college. Right now, there are a lot of things I wish I did, or didn’t do, depending on the situation.

Go through recruitment now instead of next spring so that you can spend more time in your chapter and with the girls who will become your best friends. Those “friends” from freshman year, I know it may not be what you want to hear, but none of those friendships will truly last. Once in a while you’ll see the people you came to know but they aren’t going to be the truest of the true. That best friend of yours that talked you into coming to college here instead of the school you really wanted to, your friendship didn’t last through your first semester, but don’t worry because things will get better.

Freshman me, you’re going to want to do a lot of things, but always keep your future in mind. Think ahead and don’t ever forget where you want to go, no matter what you have to do to get there. Work hard, pull all nighters if you have to, but NEVER give up on your dreams. Right now, in spring of 2011, you’ve officially switched over to Criminal Justice and I promise you that you’ll fall in love with it. 22 year old you still dreams of becoming an FBI agent one day, so strive towards that, okay? You’re only 18, but be responsible!

As for those boys who broke your heart, don’t pay any attention to them because I can promise you that, once again, the best is yet to come. The summer of 2014, you’ll meet the one that’ll make you forget that anyone else is in the world. When you meet him, you’ll immediately know because he won’t come into your life quietly. He’ll obnoxiously message you telling you that he thinks you’re beautiful and you’ll bond over Marvel and everything nerdy. He’ll call you beautiful and princess and he’ll always listen to you and give you advice, no matter what your problem is.  He’ll be the one that listens to you and makes attempts to care about everything that’s happening in your life. Make sure you love him every single day and love him as hard as you can, because when you least expect it, you’ll wake up to a message that’ll change your world. I won’t be nice about it because you should be prepared, especially because I wasn’t. A drunk driver is how he met his untimely demise and you’ll feel like you’re dying. Heck…it’s 4 months later and I still feel like I’m dying inside but guess what, you’ll have your three best friends.

These girls have been there for you no matter what. You met one in February 2012 and the other two in September 2012. You may not know it when you meet them, but you’ll end up being inseparable. These are the girls who take you hiking and go with you to the restaurant you’ve wanted to go to since you moved here for college.

You’re probably wondering what 22 year old you is doing now and to be honest, you’re sitting at your room at your parents house in your hometown. Trust me, freshman me,  you have a job that you LOVE and you didn’t give that up, even for another job in another state that paid twice as much. When you’re looking through internships, you’ll know in your heart where you’re supposed to be.

18 year old me, hug your parents every day and call your grandparents to tell them hi and that you love them at least three times a week. They’re still here and doing well, but just let them know that you appreciate them and all they’ve done for you. You’ll pay it back to them when you graduate in December 2015.

That’s all for me. I’ve given you a lot of hints, but you have to write your own story and be your own person.

Good luck, freshman version of me. You’re going to be successful.

Xoxo,

22 year old, UCCS graduate version of me.