Dear College Mom

Guest post by Priya Pai

Dear College Mom,

​I am writing this letter in order to say a big thank-you-so-much for all the lessons you have taught me over the years. The values of perseverance, determination, and time management are truly what have gotten me through the first few weeks of living on my own and taking difficult courses at the same time (read: discovering that laundry does not magically fold itself when I’m busy and food does not fill an empty plate just as I feel the beginnings of hunger). I am SO thankful that you didn’t give up on me during the years when the last thing I wanted to do was listen to you. I realize now that all the advice you gave me and the way that you pushed me to balance more and more things over the years have truly allowed me to both experience the freedoms of college and keep up with my school work. Yeah, you read that right. I basically just gave you the perfect opening to punch the air as you read this and loudly exclaim, “I told you so!” That’s right, you College Mom you, take the win!

​In addition, the importance you placed upon healthy eating and enough sleep has influenced me to avoid staying up late unless absolutely necessary which has required me to manage my time extremely well, invest time into eating well and prioritize school work over fun when it comes down to the wire. It’s important to note here that I was very excited to eat chicken sandwiches, pasta, and everything except a vegetable whenever I wanted when I left for college, but that got old pretty quickly. Speaking of home-cooked food, I’m still waiting on that care package… Humility, especially, has served me well during these first few weeks of adjustment to college life and realizing that I am no longer close to being the most intelligent person in the room but I am still one of the most hard working. However, I would like you to inform my brother that I will still be smarter than him when I come home (perks of being the older sibling, buddy). 

​All of the lessons you taught me (read: forced into my very grumpy and unhappy brain) have given me the foundation of who I am as an individual: someone who can be independent and stand on her own two feet but not be too proud to ask for help when needed. I will always be thankful that I am lucky enough to have you as my mother because you have guided my growth into the person I am today. Unrelated side note, care to deposit some $$ in my account? Pretty please with sugar on top… Also, I don’t think you’ll care too much about this but I got a big tattoo. On my neck. The night after you dropped me off. See you next month!
 
Love,
 
College Student

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Priya Pai is a rising senior at Texas A&M University who enjoys writing in her free time. She is also an avid reader and spin class fanatic who can be found in either the library or her local spin studio. Her most favorite activity, however, is chasing her labradoodle, Cocoa, around.