Advice to Your Younger Self – #DearCollegeMe

My youngest sister is starting college next semester. I am 10 years older than her. It made me realize how old I am.

After watching this video, I was inspired to write my own "Dear College Me" letter, summarizing what I've learned since I was in my sister's shoes nearly 10 years ago.

Dear College Me:

Well, not much to report here from the future, except that people still waste their time instant-messaging on the Internet, the 80s keep coming back into style, and music on the radio still sucks.

And sorry, no flying cars (yet) or anything else from Back to the Future 2. (Disappointing, right?)

But there are a few things to report on the personal front:

1. You finally broke down and got a cell phone. (Sellout.)
2. You got married. (Sucker.)
3. Life is not what you thought it would be. (Hallelujah.)

Let's talk about #3 — here's some advice for you that I wish I had learned earlier:

• "Chasing girls" is a misnomer. The paradox is that you often find the one you're looking for when you stop looking.
• Keep playing guitar.
• You will find yourself most contented when you think about yourself the least.
• Travel sooner.
• Not all commitments are bad.
• The habits you form here will stick with you, in some form or another, for the rest of your life.
• Don't spread yourself too thin.
• Take a business class (trust me).
• Let your hair grow out sooner; you'll get more chicks. (Really trust me on this one.)
• You don't have God completely figured out, and you need him more than you think. Give every free moment you have to developing that relationship, and find more time to give to it..
• Read for fun, even when you don't have time.
• Restless is a season, not a lifestyle.
• Stop being afraid of what other people think and trying to win their approval. Everyone you're scared of right now doesn't amount to much.
• Write. For yourself. For others. Just write. (And don't ever settle for your first draft of anything.)
• Buy some stock in Apple. Seriously.

So chew on that in between cramming for tests that you procrastinated studying for.

You're on a good track, but just realize that life isn't about you, that your voice will always crack like that, and that there is purpose to your life. The sooner you can find it, the sooner we can get on with changing the world.

Sincerely,
Your Older (and More Handsome) Self

What would you say to your younger self? Share your thoughts on Twitter and use the hashtag #dearcollegeme.