Dear 16-year-old Maddy,
Your time in college is coming to a close. It's hard to wrap your head around. I know at 16, it feels like you have all the time in the world but trust me—it flies by.
I know you're scared of choosing the wrong college. I know you're hesitant to stay in your hometown when all your friends are heading out of state. Those fears will soon dissipate. MTSU is the right choice; you won't regret it. You will have so many invaluable experiences.
Not only that, but MTSU gave you a full ride! All your hard work in high school paid off — your dream of going to college debt-free came true.
Working for your high school newspaper is a brilliant choice. You may not realize this in high school, but you will major in journalism in college. Your love for writing will flourish, and you'll gain so many amazing multimedia skills in audio, social media, and marketing.
Your dreams of studying in England will soon come to fruition. You studied there for an entire semester at the University of Salford. Your classes were right by BBC News, and your journalism skills grew immensely.
Living alone in another country and traveling the United Kingdom and Europe will push you outside of your comfort zone, but you'll learn more about yourself and experience life outside of your hometown.
MTSU will provide you with so many amazing opportunities. You wrote articles and did social media for Sidelines and the Division of Marketing and Communications. You studied abroad in three different countries, visited 11 other countries, and worked at Bonnaroo twice.
Most importantly, you were exactly where you needed to be. Don't be afraid of this next season of life. College will give you everything you've hoped for and worked toward.
Sincerely,
21-year-old Maddy
Maddy Williams is a senior at Middle Tennessee State University. She will graduate in August with a degree in Journalism.
Don't fear this next season; college will fulfill all you've hoped and worked for.