Dear Self

Nicole Jones
Class of 2014

(7/2013) Dear Self,

There are some things about life that you should know. I may only be writing this a few years in your future, but I learned a lot in that time. I don’t want to spoil the adventure for you, so I can’t tell you everything, but there are some general tips I want to give you. Take them or leave them, but know that whether or not you apply them now, you will learn them later.

First, you shouldn’t take high school so seriously. It’s not the most important thing in life. It’s your senior year, so go have fun and be a teenager before responsibilities swoop in to ruin the day. I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep your grades up, but put down your fifth book of the week and go hang out with some friends. You work hard and should take the occasional opportunity for fun. You should know that your efforts in school are rewarded with more than just good grades. I won’t spoil the surprise, but I know that you’ll love it.

No one expects you to be perfect, so stop worrying about trying to be. It is okay to make mistakes. Just relax and don’t let fear hold you back from trying and accomplishing new things. That goes for driving, too. I know the responsibility can be scary, but it’s one for which you’re ready. Besides, a license is a necessity these days, so be brave, take a deep breath, and drive.

Hint: apply to summer jobs before summer actually arrives. They aren’t going to be easy to find because businesses most likely want to give positions to people supporting a family before a high school student who just needs gas money, but the jobs are out there. You’ll go through dozens of applications. Keep trying and remember to follow up wherever you apply. If an employer hears your voice or has the chance to meet you in person, he is a lot more likely to at least give you an interview. Also, don’t be so picky about where you work. The food industry isn’t glamorous, but working with the public and in a team setting is good experience for future job opportunities. The tips aren’t bad either.

Appreciate your high school friends while you have them. You will fall out of touch with them because college will give you friends that relate to you better. That doesn’t change the fact that you’ve had a lot of fun and made some great memories with your high school buddies. Maybe you should try staying in touch with them a little more after you graduate. You will never be as close with them as you are now, but it doesn’t hurt to keep tabs on one another.

Don’t give up on your volunteer work at the Carroll County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program. I know it can be tiring and even frustrating at times, but the end result is always good for you and those you’re helping. You are making a difference in someone’s life, and I have yet to find something more rewarding. You’ll also have an awesome teaching opportunity arise from this.

This will be your last full show season before college, so enjoy all of your horseback riding competitions. I wish you would try to relax a little bit more in the arena; it’s supposed to be fun, not stressful. Just try your best and enjoy the challenge. You’ll have plenty of other things to stress about later.

Learn how to play the piano again. If you hadn’t stopped taking lessons, you may have never tried horseback riding, but now that you ride, take up the ivory keys again too. You don’t have to take lessons, just buy a keyboard and a book and teach yourself. As you get older, you will begin to appreciate music even more, and you’ll be very glad to know how to play an instrument. An understanding of music will also be important for you to fully enjoy some of the musicians you’ll grow to love in college. Remember to explore music on your own and not to rely entirely on what friends and family listen to. There are some incredible artists out there just waiting to be heard.

Try to thank your teachers every once in a while, especially Mr. Beard and Mrs. Wood. Mr. Beard’s hard work gave you a strong foundation in English. I truly believe it is in large part thanks to him that you will go on to do so well in college. Remember as much from his classes as possible. You will use his rules and techniques for every class essay and newspaper article you write. Mrs. Wood largely encouraged your desire to learn languages, something that you’ll pursue in college. She also helps you with public speaking. Thank her for that, because it will be very important later in life.

You don’t know it yet, but you will want to be a speech pathologist. This doesn’t change your current plans. Still go to the Mount. Still major in Communication Studies. You will miss out on so many good things if you replace those four years for a direct route into the major at a different school. The people you will befriend at the Mount are incredible. Olivia Gorman, Maggy Mastin, Lisa Lopez, and David Gayhart. Remember those names and seek them out as soon as possible your freshman year at the Mount. You will need each of their support, advice, and company in the future.

You’ve always loved to read, so keep a few more dollars in your pocket by befriending the public library. You already have the card, just remember to use it. It’ll free up your wallet and bookshelves for those books you absolutely must have. Oh, and don’t worry when Borders goes out of business. A new bookstore will take its place.

Go to church whenever you have the chance. Though it may not seem like it now, your faith is important, and you won’t always have access to a decent church. Being heavily exposed to religion six days of the week made you burn out a little, but when you go to college you will appreciate everything you’ve learned. It will help you make some wise decisions, and it will give you answers to questions you never thought you would ask yourself.

Most importantly, treat your parents well. They sacrifice so much for you to go to private schools and give you everything you have, and they ask for nothing in return. Sometimes your teenage attitude gets in the way of remembering this, so you don’t always give them the respect they deserve. Just do what is asked of you – it’s never a lot. Thank them often and say I love you daily.

I don’t expect you to remember all of this, which is of course why I’ve written it down. Keep this in a safe place and reread it every now and then. Hopefully it will help to make you a better person and help smooth over some of life’s little bumps. Know that there isn’t anything to be afraid of. Your life is a very blessed one, so be excited for your future because there is a lot to be excited about. Also, know that whatever hardships you may face, you will make it through. This letter is proof enough of that.