Dear Former Self,

Hi, and I hope that things in April of 2009 are going well.  I know you're enjoying Pariah and Organic Chem and hanging out with the skinny kid, and I know you're looking forward to getting out of the dorms and working this summer and spending another year at UGA.

You're in for some rough times, and I wish I could warn you of the pitfalls so that you could avoid making some mistakes.  If something strikes you as a bad idea, for Pete's sake listen and don't go through with it!  You're a smart girl, and you know well enough to avoid some lousy situations.  Be courageous and listen to yourself.

Also, try not to be so easily frustrated with him.  He cares for you more than you know, and he's trying his best.  I know you don't understand it now, but you've got something really special going on, and you'll make things much easier for yourself if you remember that and realize that he wants you to be happy and wants to do whatever he reasonably can to facilitate that.  Really.

Stand up for yourself, be assertive, and fight for what you want.  Keep up in your classes, work harder to get involved in extracurriculars, and be open and honest with the Pariah staff about what you want.  You'll reap the benefits, I promise.

Try not to isolate yourself from people when things get tough.  Your roommate situation and your relationship situation and your family situation and your financial situation and your scholastic situation are all about to come crashing down on your head.  You'll be able to get through it, but it will be easier if you don't close down all channels of communication with the people who support you.  Learn to deal with people.  It's a skill you'll need for a lifetime, and learning it now will make the next year immeasurably easier.

Finally, remember that things will work out the way they are supposed to and that God is in control.  Get back into church and don't worry so much about the future.  There will be plenty of time for worrying when things actually roll around.  For now, focus on the short term.  Your current relationships, current classes, current concerns.  Concerns with marriage and family and career can be put off, at least for a little while.

And, if you do one thing and one thing only, study a little for Biochem every single day.  Trust me.

Much love,
Your Future Self

P.S.  To avoid a rift in the space-time continuum, we'd probably best pretend that this conversation never happened.