Hey Daughter!
So I've been thinking. You're probably going to go to college one day. You're going to have these expectations and hopes and what not. I'm going to help you out a bit. I'll tell you what it's really about. Now you, read carefully.
1. Your pockets will feel empty ALL the time. I spent most of college completely broke and surviving on last week's spare change. There really is no solution to it. Figure out the nearest cheap hangouts, make friends with the waiters but remember, dont sponge off your friends. I've taught you better than that.
2. You're wasting your time in class. I must be the worst parent for telling you this, but all the actual knowledge you'll ever gain happens outside that stuffy classroom. Yet, I encourage you to sit down and endure those long, endless lectures because skipping classes makes you look tardy and inefficient. Also, you'll need all the approval you can get from those evil professors. You'll know what I'm talking about later.
3. Having lots of friends is a delusion. You're on your own. Don't waste your time gossiping and participating in mindless chatter, in your quest for peer-group approval. Be polite to everyone, don't indulge in arguments and keep your temper in check. You don't need to hang out with pretentious, back-biting teenagers to feel awesome. You are awesome.
4. Find that soulsister. You'll come across someone as eccentric, passionate and weird as you are. You guys will never run out of things to talk about and the presence of the other will make college bearable. You'll discover the truest form of friendship there is, and loyalty of the fiercest kind. Cherish and nourish this, my munchkin.
5. Read. There really is no fancier way to say this. Read everything and anything you can get your hands on. Fairytales, textbooks on mechanics and quantum physics, vacuum cleaner manuals, books on art and philosophy etc. Always remember, books are your best friend. You'll witness wars, climb mountains, make new friends, travel the universe and learn all about yourself.
6. People will let you down. Get ready to experience a whole lot of heartbreak and pain. Friends, classmates, teachers will try to snuff out all that fire inside you. Don't let them, darling. Cry for 10 minutes, wipe those tears away, get up and face the world. Remember, you're only as amazing as you think you are.
7. Failure is inevitable. There will come a time when you will lose, and your loss will seem irrevocable. You'll be dejected and depressed, and feel all alone. I cannot offer much help through words, but I can tell you one thing for sure; You're going to survive this. You'll discover that you have a million opportunities to win and a billion undiscovered avenues of hope.
8. Get off your lazy-a**. Don't procrastinate. Don't sleep through your free time. If you do, you'll end up watching the rest of the world reach the finish line way ahead of you, while you're still tying your shoelaces. Push yourself harder.
9. Dnt spell lyk dis. Oh,and always be on time. Punctuality is an underrated virtue.
10. Set yourself short-term and long-term goals. Decide what you want to become, social activist, a tennis star, a scientist or a movie extra. Whatever your choice, stick to it! There will be many folks who are going to discourage you. Don't let them. Even if it's your mama.
11. Find time to smile. Enjoy the little things, eat new cuisines, go on roadtrips, go spend time with the underpriviledged. Life is short, and there's so much out there to be seen and felt. Yet, I must advice you. You're a smart girl and good sense should keep you away from any activity that's going to hurt you.
12. Your family is always on your side. We will always back you up, applaud you at your graduations, habitually embarrass you in public and never shy away from boasting about you at family functions. Your family is your foundation. Respect it, hold onto it.
13. Principles. Ah! As you grow up, you will develop fascinating beliefs and understandings. It may not be the coolest doctrine in town, or what everyone else is into believing these days. But look inside your heart, and if you feel so strongly about it, wear it proudly.
14. Stay healthy. Keep your face, legs, feet, hands, lungs and ears clean.
15. Mama raised a winner. You may feel like you haven't dont well enough for yourself, or that you're pretty much groping in the dark. We've all been there, but things have a way of working out. Don't measure your success with parameters like money and branded clothes, but choose a life of happiness and touch a million lives with your pure soul. That's what counts in the end. Also remember, I will always, ALWAYS, be proud of you.
Signing off,
Me
So I've been thinking. You're probably going to go to college one day. You're going to have these expectations and hopes and what not. I'm going to help you out a bit. I'll tell you what it's really about. Now you, read carefully.
1. Your pockets will feel empty ALL the time. I spent most of college completely broke and surviving on last week's spare change. There really is no solution to it. Figure out the nearest cheap hangouts, make friends with the waiters but remember, dont sponge off your friends. I've taught you better than that.
2. You're wasting your time in class. I must be the worst parent for telling you this, but all the actual knowledge you'll ever gain happens outside that stuffy classroom. Yet, I encourage you to sit down and endure those long, endless lectures because skipping classes makes you look tardy and inefficient. Also, you'll need all the approval you can get from those evil professors. You'll know what I'm talking about later.
3. Having lots of friends is a delusion. You're on your own. Don't waste your time gossiping and participating in mindless chatter, in your quest for peer-group approval. Be polite to everyone, don't indulge in arguments and keep your temper in check. You don't need to hang out with pretentious, back-biting teenagers to feel awesome. You are awesome.
4. Find that soulsister. You'll come across someone as eccentric, passionate and weird as you are. You guys will never run out of things to talk about and the presence of the other will make college bearable. You'll discover the truest form of friendship there is, and loyalty of the fiercest kind. Cherish and nourish this, my munchkin.
5. Read. There really is no fancier way to say this. Read everything and anything you can get your hands on. Fairytales, textbooks on mechanics and quantum physics, vacuum cleaner manuals, books on art and philosophy etc. Always remember, books are your best friend. You'll witness wars, climb mountains, make new friends, travel the universe and learn all about yourself.
6. People will let you down. Get ready to experience a whole lot of heartbreak and pain. Friends, classmates, teachers will try to snuff out all that fire inside you. Don't let them, darling. Cry for 10 minutes, wipe those tears away, get up and face the world. Remember, you're only as amazing as you think you are.
7. Failure is inevitable. There will come a time when you will lose, and your loss will seem irrevocable. You'll be dejected and depressed, and feel all alone. I cannot offer much help through words, but I can tell you one thing for sure; You're going to survive this. You'll discover that you have a million opportunities to win and a billion undiscovered avenues of hope.
8. Get off your lazy-a**. Don't procrastinate. Don't sleep through your free time. If you do, you'll end up watching the rest of the world reach the finish line way ahead of you, while you're still tying your shoelaces. Push yourself harder.
9. Dnt spell lyk dis. Oh,and always be on time. Punctuality is an underrated virtue.
10. Set yourself short-term and long-term goals. Decide what you want to become, social activist, a tennis star, a scientist or a movie extra. Whatever your choice, stick to it! There will be many folks who are going to discourage you. Don't let them. Even if it's your mama.
11. Find time to smile. Enjoy the little things, eat new cuisines, go on roadtrips, go spend time with the underpriviledged. Life is short, and there's so much out there to be seen and felt. Yet, I must advice you. You're a smart girl and good sense should keep you away from any activity that's going to hurt you.
12. Your family is always on your side. We will always back you up, applaud you at your graduations, habitually embarrass you in public and never shy away from boasting about you at family functions. Your family is your foundation. Respect it, hold onto it.
13. Principles. Ah! As you grow up, you will develop fascinating beliefs and understandings. It may not be the coolest doctrine in town, or what everyone else is into believing these days. But look inside your heart, and if you feel so strongly about it, wear it proudly.
14. Stay healthy. Keep your face, legs, feet, hands, lungs and ears clean.
15. Mama raised a winner. You may feel like you haven't dont well enough for yourself, or that you're pretty much groping in the dark. We've all been there, but things have a way of working out. Don't measure your success with parameters like money and branded clothes, but choose a life of happiness and touch a million lives with your pure soul. That's what counts in the end. Also remember, I will always, ALWAYS, be proud of you.
Signing off,
Me
