Love Always, Carrie: Dear Freshman Self

I've been thinking a lot about graduation (the unspoken g-word) as it comes barreling closer and closer. May 13th might as well be the day the Mayans said that the world would end. Except for the fact that it is also Mother's Day that day...So we can project all of the attention onto her and not onto me, capesh?

I got this idea from a website where people write back to their 16-year-old selves. I thought it'd be funny to look back and give advice to Freshman me...

Dear Freshman Me:

You've got so much going for you.

You've been accepted to the single-most beautiful campus on Earth: UNC-Chapel Hill. Your parents and family have given you a lot of grief about being a Tar Heel, but you stood firm and accepted the challenge. You enjoy Freshman year and you live it up, making new friends that will definitely remain your friends throughout college. You join one of the best organizations on campus, UNC Dance Marathon, and you don't know it yet, but it will play a pivotal role in your experience here. Stick with it.

Caroline and I walked this shopping cart all the way from the store because we didn't have cars. Then pushed it all the way back to the store. Casual.

You live college life correctly. Focusing on school enough to get by, but realizing that there are way more important things. You take study breaks. You aren't afraid to be silly. You go out a sufficient amount. You become people's rocks and you become a stronger friend.

You get to experience Carolina winning the National Championship your freshman year, but just make sure your brackets from there on out don't have them going all the way to the final. It ain't happening. But continue to cheer them on because you'll have some fun nights watching the Heels play.

Before Good Morning America freshman year.

You come in as a Biology major-- You should probably switch that now because simply put, Biology 101 is a weed-out class and you get weeded. Poli Sci is also not a good option for you. Neither is Journalism. And nope, not Econ either. You find your major niche though, don't worry.

Spanish isn't the right major for you either. But continue to take it because you ARE really good at Spanglish. And GIRL, study abroad. Leaving for one semester is not going to hurt you. That's your biggest regret before you graduate.

Boys are few and far between. (Probably because they saw the above picture). You'll meet a few here and there, but trust me...not worth your time. The bright side? You become more independent. Yep, let's just stick with that.

Lay off the Peanut Butter Cookies in Lenoir. However, I know they are delish. You'll learn how to like to exercise. You'll even try your hand at Latin Dancing and Group Fitness Classes.

Oh, and you'll be asked to join an IM indoor soccer team. Just don't do it. For the benefit of the team, do not sign up.

Make efforts with people. This campus is big and small all at the same time. Keep up with people. Let them know you are thinking about them even if you don't hang out anymore. You're never, ever, ever too busy for anyone.

Exam week 2008. Obviously being productive.

You grow so much in your four years. Friend groups change. You grow, though. Boy, do you change so much. It's awesome change. Embrace it.

Dressing up with Kaylee before a UNC Dance Marathon event.

You learn to like wine. Probably too much. You're a great bartender at parties. And your friends will always have funny stories about you. Like that time you asked a senior why she was at a fraternity house at her age. You learned to run fast from that response. Or the time....well, you'll see....

For some reason, you really enjoy dressing up. You sure do like a good theme.

And a good Karaoke opportunity.

But most importantly. Do not stress. Don't be anxious. You hate Sophomore year. The newness wears off. You'll want to transfer-- but don't even think about it because Junior and Senior year are the best. They're hard though. You should probably start studying now.

But you turn out fine. Sure, you have a few bumps along the college road, but so does everyone else. Just go have fun.

Pull all-nighters. Some of the best times in college come from pulling all-nighters. You have lots of heart-to-hearts. You dance for 24 hours straight at UNC Dance Marathon. You pull your hair out studying for exams that you sometimes don't end up doing well on and it's totally worth it.

There will be nights where you will want to stay in and do nothing. But don't. Go be social. There will be days when you won't want to go to class. Do. Go learn from the teacher so you don't have to teach yourself.