Freshman Turned Senior (Open Letter)
Very soon I will be beginning my Senior year of collegiate education at the North Carolina A&T State University. Shoutout to the Class of 2024 aka the Covid-Kids! As I reach this milestone, I spent a month away from a lot of things to immerse myself in reflection of my past experiences, future plans and most of all, the present moment that I’m living in as you read this right now. In light of that, this month’s journey entry will be an open letter to myself, incoming freshmen and current college students. I pray this message reaches those either preparing for college or currently in it.
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Dear Freshman Me,
I’m proud to report that we’ve made it to the final lap. After everything that we set out to do, I’m elated to say that we’ve made it here.
During my college tenure, I’ve prayed for many things. I prayed for great grades, and God gave us challenging courses to develop my way of thinking. I prayed for a healthy lifestyle and God allowed temptations to teach me healthy habits to get there. I asked God for the opportunity to serve, and he gave me great organizations to learn from and serve through. I asked for a support system, and was given people that would take advantage of me and people that would pick me up to teach me which of the two is love. Most recently, I asked God for stability and instead he isolated me to teach me how to slow down and be present. I even asked God for money and he taught me how to steward it.
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Everything that I asked God for, he gave me. Just not in the way that I was expecting.
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If I had two pieces of advice to give you, it would be to NEVER limit yourself and to NEVER stop learning! Being a life-long learner will open up your ability to evolve and grow exponentially. This is because you accept the truth that there is always more to learn and opportunities for growth.
When I first came into college, everything was physically shut down. What I didn’t see at the time is that I also allowed my mind to shut down too. My excitement and ambition clouded my discernment causing me to become very impressionable to bad things. Because of that, I faced an exciting start but a hard fall very quickly. At that moment, I was very hurt because I realized that I had placed myself into a difficult position out of my own free will. Although it took a while, I found God again, except this time it was for myself. Not from my parents or mentors but by my personal decision to love God and seek him. This is when I learned that life is an ongoing series of mountain highs and valley lows.
JT—Thank you for being humble enough in that time to recognize that your strength is not yours alone. It took quite a while but after a few years you learned that you have seasons in life. When you opened your mind to learn and allow that season to serve whatever area it is in your life, you witnessed growth before you could realize it. College is not easy. It was never meant to be. But it IS and WAS necessary for you to realize that you truly can do ALL things you set your mind to if you seek God first. You truly wouldn’t believe everything you were able to do and achieve in just 3 years if you saw it from my perspective today.
JT—I remember the times of insecurity, fear and anxiety. I remember when you felt like you just threw your whole future away. I remember when you felt unworthy of leadership. I remember when you chose to turn from God and had to swallow the pill that came with it. Alternatively, I remember when you took a chance to get out there and serve with your heart and not strategies. Every high, and every low, I was there and so was God, to remind you that it will always be okay eventually.
All—Every season is necessary for your growth. Just never stop learning from the Good, Bad and Ugly. Nothing is wasted in this life—there is always a reason. No matter how it feels, I’m proud of you for seeing it through.
With Respect, Encouragement and Love Above All,
Senior Me
The job is not done. #FinalLap
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To my incoming freshmen, current students and rising college seniors. Don’t seek happiness in college. Seek contentment. Contentment with the little you have right now. Contentment in your present season. Contentment in your education. Contentment in your involvement. Contentment in the mystery. Above all…Contentment with YOURSELF.
If you can master the art of being grateful for what you have now, you will appreciate what is on the way. College is the best decision you could’ve made, just remember that your experience is up to you! Make it Matter!
“Happiness is Having Everything That You Want. Contentment is Wanting Everything You Have”
