senior advice: words i didn't say

last week was my senior recognition. i have watched the seniors before me for three years have their own senior recs, listened to letters from their parents and their own advice, and before i knew it, my turn came. my parents wrote a letter to me that brought me to tears and my baby picture was shown for the chapter to see. then, it was my turn to give advice to those younger than me. with a shaky voice, i said a few words, but certainly not everything i wanted to say. so, here it is. advice to a younger me, those beginning the college chapter of their lives and those whose undergrad pages are still being written.

• put your happiness first: you will never be able to please everyone. put your happiness first, above others. if doing something everyone does doesn't make you happy, don't do it. just because others like it or are doing it, doesn't mean you have to. i thought i had to drink, but when i figured out that partying and going out wasn't for me, i was much better off. don't worry about what others are doing, do what you want and you will succeed. 
• the habits you develop now will stay with you: develop healthy habits. eat right, work out as often as you can. keep your home clean and get good sleep. it will only help you in college and after. unlike most, i lost weight when i came to college. after losing too much weight and struggling with eating issues, i am now able to say i have overcome my problem and am at a very healthy weight. i work out regularly, eat healthy and splurge every once in a while. i am a clean freak and i need my sleep, but these habits are ones that i plan to keep after college. 
• stay close to your family: they will be your support beam. call your mom and dad daily, or at least text them. go home when you can, as often as you can. no matter what happens, they will be there for you now and later. my mom is my best friend and i will be forever a daddy's girl. i look up to my brother more than he knows and i am thankful for my close relationship with my extended family. every moment spent with my family is one that i do not regret. 
• prepare for post-grad: college is fun, but its not forever. make good grades, go to the job fair, build a resumé. use your connections to the fullest extent - thats how you land a job. get experiences, internships or study abroad. have a good college experience, but also know that a time will come when you will have to enter the real world and be prepared. take any interview you get, just for the experience. make yourself better than your competition. 
• go greek: join an organization that is bigger than just yourself and bigger than just your campus. work to leave a legacy and make something better off when you leave than when you came. your sisters will be your second support beam, your family at school. alpha chi omega is what kept me at tennessee after a difficult transition to college. without it, i would not be the woman i am today, and i would not have the best friends that i have now. 
• you are capable of more than you know: if you want it, you can have it. remember that most of all. you have the ability to do whatever you want in life, as long as you put in the blood, sweat and tears that it may require. i never thought i could do some of the things i have done, but through hard work and dedication, i achieved and sometimes surpassed my goals. don't be afraid to chase your dreams - i did and i landed my dream internship in nashville and my dream job in franklin after graduation. 

i graduate from UT one month from today. i will walk across the stage, turn my tassel and officially be an alumni of the university of tennessee. there have been many hard times, many crying phone calls to home, but there have also been many good times. football game memories, sorority events and just those times talking with your best friends about life. though sometimes it may not feel like it, things will fall into place. it may take time, and other things may have to fall apart, but it will happen.  you will change. you will make new friends and keep old ones. college really is about "finding yourself". i did. i found what i liked, i found friends i will keep forever, i worked hard and didn't play hard. but that's me. i put my happiness first. i stayed close to my family, maintained a healthy lifestyle  and prepared for post-grad. i had an unforgettable time as an active member in alpha chi omega. i found i was capable of more than i thought i was.

so, in one month, college will be over. one chapter will end, but i couldn't be more excited to start the next.

xoxo,
clp