As you leave…
I’ve watched many of my Seniors from last year take off for college this week. What an exciting time! I vividly remember when I left for college. However, some things are different. Let’s see, I didn’t have a sleek laptop to save my every note and thought for safe keeping…no, I had a word processor where you could see three lines at a time. You’d type your paper and then hit the print button. It would all come scrolling out. Ahem….yeah no, not fun! And Lord help you if you made a mistake! It was called white out and a black pen to the rescue!!

We also didn’t have cell phones and social media to keep in touch with loved ones, friends, and boyfriends. No, we had phones with a cord (a what?!?!) And I was so thankful that my parents had a bag phone! So when I drove to Beaufort to visit with Kevin, my dad would meet me in Charlotte to let me borrow it since I was traveling on the interstate. Dang those were crazy old days!!

Lots of things have changed since I was your age, but there are also lots of things that have remained the same. Here are a few tips for surviving these first days away from home:

1

Call your mother! (I’m hoping Grace will remember this next year) Yes, you may have had a blowout before you left…it’s sometimes the heart’s way of protecting itself from the pain of leaving. It’s normal…just trust me. Call her. Text her. Snapchat her. Send her silly pics. Just let her know you are thinking about her from time to time. (Include Dads too please)

2

Don’t wait until second semester to get serious about school. You’ll end up staying an extra semester or year to make up for the fun you had first semester. While your friends are getting their first jobs and apartments on their own, you’ll be paying the price for the craziness of your first semester. Just do the work. Balance it with the awesome fun and freedom of first semester.

3

Get involved. Find something on campus that gives you a purpose. Partying gets old quick (and it makes your skin look horrible…trust me, the sins of your youth come back to haunt you when you turn 40). Just like all the work you did to get into college, you’re now doing the work to get that great job when you graduate. You are building a resume for the adult world. Do great things!

4

Do your laundry. Nobody has limitless funds to purchase new underwear every week. If your mama never taught you to do laundry, please find a friend to teach you. Don’t let your laundry pile up to take home at fall break. As much as your mom says she loves to do your laundry…she’s lying. I’d rather eat rocks than do laundry! Just do your laundry so when you go home your mom can take you shopping or out for a coffee date.

5

Have fun! Yes, I know most of you are already having a blast…but savor these days! Adulting will be upon you soon! Enjoy these days and make great memories with new friends and old friends! But be safe…sorry, I just had to add the last “mom” comment. Oh yeah, and don’t take a drink that has been opened, charge your cell phone before you leave, and as my Marine hubby always says “have a battle buddy” that won’t leave you behind and will always have your back when you’re out. Ok…sorry…I just had to do a little more mothering!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Love you all!

Miss Corry xoxo