A Letter to My Two Best Friends After Graduation

First, I’d like to lead with congratulating both of you on your high school graduation. A big congratulations to everyone, everywhere who graduated either high school or college in a class of 2018. Towson and Catholic U are incredibly lucky to be adding two of the best people I know to their roster. You’re talented in a multitude of ways, you’re beautiful, you both successfully light up an entire room with your smiles and laughs, you’re sweet and selfless and you work so diligently and hard. Yes, college is one of the most exciting adventures a teenager can embark upon. It’s also trying and difficult. However, I fully believe in you. Below are my ten biggest suggestions for you as you start this new chapter of your life.

1. Always be willing to meet new people.

A huge college campus turns into more of a community when you can pass a few people you know on your way to class. It always helps to know plenty of people so you always have someone to grab a meal with in between classes or go to the gym with. Meet people through mutual friends, in class, at athletic events, in your dorms, and anywhere else you go.

2. Build solid friendships with these people.

It’s so important to be intentional and actually know people for who they are. It’s better to have a few really good friends that you can trust than to call everyone your friend and not know them well at all. Find people with similar interests but also find people who can introduce you to new things and challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Trust me, singing karaoke with friends in front of lots of people is NOT my thing but you just can’t resist an exhilarating experience. It was a joke, by the way, but still one of my favorite memories from freshman year.

3. Be smart.

College is fun but college is also never an excuse to make terrible decisions that will ruin your future. Both of you have extremely bright futures and you’re mature and you always know what’s right and wrong. Don’t let that change.

4. Make memories and soak them in, put the camera down on occasion. I’m talking to you Avery ;). Pictures are great, especially when you’re really talented behind and in front of a camera but, it also keeps you from actually soaking in every second of an adventure. Snap a few quick pictures and then sit back and live it all out.

5. Save your money this summer so you have the means of going on late night food runs or last-minute mall trips.

You’ll thank yourself for this when the time comes, trust me. When you see Aerie has a sale and you can’t resist the deal, you’ll be able to afford to treat yourself. Don’t spend your money on everything, either. Know what’s necessary and useful and don’t blow all of your money on food. You have a meal plan for that.

6. Go to class.

No one genuinely wants to go to classes everyday but now that you’re living away from home, you have to hold yourself accountable. Skip your class if you’re sick but otherwise, just go. You’ll learn better and if you get used to skipping, your desire to go will decrease significantly.

7. Take Good Notes.

Note-taking is the easiest way to retain the information you learn in class. It’ll save you lots of time before big tests and it’ll make studying for finals a lot easier when you have to go back and review everything. Cumulative tests are everyone’s nightmare but if you put in the effort to take good notes, they’ll be a breeze to study for.

8. Participate in on-campus events.

You’ll meet tons of people and you’ll have loads of fun. Play intramural sports for a new group of friends with similar athletic interests and a little bit of competition. When there’s a movie playing on the lawn, take a blanket and go. If there’s a club hosting a fun event, try it out and see if you like it.

9. Be Professional.

You’re adults now so it’s expected that you act like it. Your emails to your professors, the way you handle phone calls, and how you talk to others should all speak of your maturity and presence of professionalism. Your parents and teachers leading up to this point in your life have taught you better than to lack that. Your professors and anyone else you have to contact deserve your respect and you can show that through well-written and knowledgeable emails, well-spoken phone calls, etc.

10. Explore.

Explore your campus and the city in which it lies. Know where everything is, especially the closest Target or Wal-Mart and the important places like the Career Center or your advisor’s office. It’s necessary to know where these places are before you desperately need to get there and have no clue where you’re going.

Finally, my last piece of advice is to stay who you are but grow in all aspects of your life. Your family, friends, mentors, teachers, and coaches have helped make you who you are. You are completely your own person but that doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to build upon that. Try new things, eat new foods, and have a ton of fun. I can’t wait to hear all about your college stories and I especially can’t wait to see how you grow in your faith. The Lord has set you on this path for a specific reason, don’t resist how He plans to work in your life and don’t be afraid to say “yes” to what He has in store for you.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)