By Giovanna Gatto
Managing Editor – Editorial
My car was packed with 14 pairs of patterned leggings and a Philadelphia Eagles pillow pet and I was on my way to move into college my freshmen year. As my parents rushed off and the dorm door closed I glanced around my room slowly realizing that my room now meant our room and my home now meant Philadelphia.
Thinking back to my wide eyed and confused freshmen year self is almost chilling as I close the final moments of my undergraduate career. However, as one would hope, I have learned a few things since then. So to the little G that thought she needed to reinvent herself to fit in, heres what I have to say.
Dearest G,
This letter comes with great wisdom and knowledge from a you that knows you better then you know you right now.
The next few years that you have in front of you are important but don’t let them scare you. I know as your reading this you’re probably already googling, “how to predict your future,” that part of you will never change. You will always be imaginative, curious and constantly tripping over your own two feet. —-Tie your shoes. You’re only tripping because you are so eager to see what comes next and that is okay, but don’t let that distract you from what is happening all around you.
G, you are currently on the cusp of your writing career. Over the next four years, you will write many pieces that you be proud. When you feel discouraged with your work, HIT SAVE. Don’t delete what doesn’t feel right, it could be perfect to someone else, in ten years or something you’ll laugh at when your eighty-five.
Remain busy. This is how you will stay sane. Normal people have a natural balance in their life, you need to juggle. There are no guidelines for how much you can handle at once, but I will give you a clue — if you wake up and said “I need coffee,” you are probably taking on too much.
There will be many things that you will accomplish but do not settle and don’t be to humble to be proud of yourself. There will be moments when you feel that your accomplishments are minimal in comparison to the world. These comparison only help if you are making a venn diagram. Don’t make a venn diagram.
Now I am going to give you some tips and tricks for a more effective lifestyle:
1.You will only wear three pairs of shoes when you study abroad. That bag of shoes was heavy, please pack lighter.
2. When you decide to run a half marathon, make sure your shoes are tied right. This will avoid a lot of pain.
3. When someone compliments your work, accept it. If they are lying they won’t tell you and if you think they will, don’t ask. Criticism should only be accepted from people who are confident enough to tell you without asking. (Unless their opinions are lame them ignore them).
4. Don’t avoid heart break, it is necessary to find love.
5. Buy a weighted blanket, it really does help you sleep better.
6. You eventually get rid of all your patterned leggings. This will not be the only phase that you go through.
G, there is no way to sum up what your next four years will be like. But if you are reading this in some remote universe that would make this letter possible, just know that you will be OK. There will be tears and laughs; there will be pain and possibilities. Just remember that you are capable of more then I can even understand today. If you were meant to live a regular life then you wouldn’t have been given such a loud voice.
P.S. If you happen to write one of these letters in 8 years, I will pay the priority shipping.
from the future,
Giovanna Gatto
