A letter to my first-year self

Source: Creative Cloud.

I am so incredibly jealous of you and the journey you’re about to embark on. There’s an unexplainable thrill about starting something new, moving away, and immersing yourself into the unfamiliar ‘new norm’, and you’re on the cusp of becoming the happiest version of yourself.

But for the love of God, please stop taking yourself so seriously. Your high school accolades and responsibilities have taught you so much, but those skills now are better off tucked in your back pocket. No one expects anything from you and all eyes are not on you.

You’ve just come out of high school, which is relatively large but a lot smaller than the spectrum of university. You were a leader, an advocate, a beacon of what the school represented. Well done! But no one really gives a shit, so you shouldn’t either. University doesn’t revolve around that hierarchal student status as intensely, so embrace the simplicity through the lack of hierarchy.

Finding your feet may appear a little difficult at first, as friendships may not flow as seamlessly as they did back at home. Classrooms were small and intimate, whereas lectures are large and focused. It can feel a little lonely at first when the intimidation sinks in, but you’ll grow to feel more settled as you exchange smiles with fellow students, lessening the gap of solitude.

You’re so privileged to be able to live in a hall of residence. You can make friends in a seamless, neighbourly fashion. But don’t confine the search for friendship behind these walls. You may find undeniable connections with peers sitting across the lecture theatre from you. Some mates will click instantly, some may burn slowly, and others may just never come alive, and that is completely normal. Despite your people-pleaser inclinations, university is not like high school. Don’t let your differences with people be ammunition for unprecedented contempt, as that’ll only reflect the unattractive traits you possess, and your inability to grow separately from those who are different to yourself.

On a more lighthearted note, do not suppress your desire for a good time. Not one night out will you ever regret, unless you wake up with a lack of knowledge of how you got to bed. Freedom is practically going to be served to you on a silver platter, so hone into it! University culture can often paint a picture of independence that includes the disregard of authority and property. But that’s just cringe.

Oh! And despite your tendencies to have very big nights out, have fun but eat properly beforehand because how can you have enjoyed an evening you barely remember? And if you’re going to have a little spew, make sure it’s not in your mate’s bed while you’re wearing your other friend Ruby’s white dress… sorry Rosie and Ally.

Don’t overthink your freaking toga outfit. Cut up the sheet and just chuck it on. Otherwise, everyone will remember you hiding in your room for two hours, creating something ‘amazing’ that’ll just become a goldmine for private story piss-takes for your three-day-old mates. Toga is not the time to be quirky.

Important! As embarrassing as it is to admit, and not to the fault of my parents, your lack of financial knowledge and the concept of saving is a major issue. I’m very much a floating rock energy kind of gal, but you would be sitting in a far more stable position if you’d tighten your wallet a teeny, little bit. No, the $300 student loan each week is not free money; and like mum used to say, there’s food at home. And by home, I mean your hall. What a novelty to be blessed with an interest free loan… to repeat, a loan, which is not free money. Don’t blow it.

Although your world revolves around media and you inevitably can’t escape it for the rest of your life, take sh*tloads of pictures and videos that make your tummy hurt from belly laughing. Snapchat is our beloved favourite, as the one-year-ago memories never go to waste and constantly refresh your brain of the good times that once were. Oh, and buying a video cam was an excellent purchase, but make sure you buy an SD card. That proves to be important to actually have access to the videos.

Your gorgeous mother of yours had somewhat equipped you with the skills you needed to become more independent. However, your lack of efficiency with household chores meant she often came to the rescue, am I right? Sort a washing day for goodness sake and stop complaining.

And to briefly get all sappy, please just soak in the pool of the creativity you know you possess and divert from boxing yourself into something you know doesn’t encompass your true educational desires. Law is epic, and I’m so proud of you for wanting to give it a crack. But there is nothing wrong with trying a degree that just doesn’t fit right, then closing that chapter. The doubt that will linger in your mind is not something to be ashamed of, and ‘dropping out’ of Law does not mean you’re of low intelligence. The moment you internally establish that journalism is your dream profession, your tertiary journey will head on the right path, with a degree that will enlighten your everyday life from that point.

You’re going to have so much fun, so soak it all up and enjoy.

Lots of love,

from me to you,

Elsie xx.