I am constantly reminding myself in this season of life with little babies to slow down and enjoy the moments. The good, the bad, the crazy. Because it goes by so quickly and things are never quite as bad as they seem. I spent years of my life worrying away the hours and now that I have a little perspective, I wish so badly I could go back and tell my younger self to CHILL OUT and just enjoy the ride. If you’re in college now and reading this, please take a little of the advice I wish my college self would’ve taken!
Dear Trish,
Relax. That’s right, you heard me. Relax. You think that life is busy and complicated and challenging right now- and from your perspective, it’s definitely a lot different than living with mom and dad. But in a few short years, you’ll be married with 2 babies, a full time job, volunteer obligations, yearning for a mom tribe (and getting closer to building one every day), juggling life as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend- and feeling like you’re mediocre in at least 3 of those areas every single day. You will experience love and joy beyond anything you’ve imagined. You’ll have a pretty good handle on your anxiety and a lot more confidence in yourself. Motherhood will be your favorite thing.
But while you’re there, apply for more scholarships. Look up as many as you can find and just apply! Take out a little extra in student loans if you have to. I know, I know, the D word makes you want to crawl in a hole and die right now, but trust me. You have years to pay those down, and only 4 short years to be in college. You could also consider refinancing them. By doing so you can have smaller monthly payments and even pay them off sooner than expected. Win/Win! But don’t take out that credit card senior year. It starts a dangerous little shopping habit that will take you far too long to payoff! Save some money- a little bit along the way and skip the credit card.
Go out with your friends. Work a little less, stop skipping class, meet new people. Volunteer. Check out that new restaurant. Go to more basketball games (the hype video will always give you chills). Tailgate at more football games (the Jayhawks will suck every year except 2007, but the tailgates are always fun!).
Experiment with cooking. Cook more with Lindsey and eat fewer pokie sticks. Scratch that, pokie sticks are delicious and I think they go out of business when you go back to visit in a few years. Just don’t waste so much money on food. Enjoy all that free coffee…your addiction started when you walked in the doors of J&S and coffee will continue to make you ridiculous happy for years to come…it’s just not free anymore.
Don’t put up those walls. Stay open and maintain connections with more of the amazing women you met freshman year. Oh and if it’s freshman year, break up with that guy you’re dating. He sucks. Stick to meeting new friends and nurturing those relationships. The guy you’re gonna marry is in Colorado and he’s wonderful.
Study abroad for a whole semester! It’s going to be expensive but make it work. You go to London senior year for a couple weeks and you’ll fall in love with it- do a semester!
So turn the TV off, get dressed and get out and have some fun. You’ll be up in the middle of the night a lot more in a few years but it will be for very different reasons! Enjoy this season of life. Because even though you didn’t listen when people tried to tell you before, it truly is just a season of life, and you’ll miss it.
Xoxo,
You in 10 years
