Dear Noel, how are you lately? I know that you are in your fourth year at West Chester, so things might be a little stressful. I know how you can get when you become overwhelmed with life. I figured you needed this to help remind you about who you are and where you have come from. Life can be rough sometimes and you have a tendency to be very hard on yourself. You think that you can come off as a failure or burden to most. You feel as though love is a foreign feeling and that nobody can appreciate you. I know that you want to be a writer/journalist, but you sell yourself short due to the fears of failure. Trust me, I get it. The world is a scary place and you are getting older by the second. The real world is knocking at your door, but you are scared to open. I just want to let you know that you might be misunderstood. But the only one that is not understanding you is yourself.
Writing has always been your passion. Sports writing was the career path you sought out as soon as you became obsessed with sports. High school was rough for your love of writing as you kept thinking that you were not up to par with others. Comparing yourself to others became a hindrance to your outlook on a career. College has helped you so much to restore most of that confidence you once had.
Do not think that one bad grade or even one bad semester defines the person you are today.
On occasion, you get into a slump, though. One bad paper makes you want to put your whole life on hold. Not every class is meant for you. Not every class can highlight your strengths as a writer. Stop believing that you are not cut out for this path. A bad grade should not derail you. You are doing great with your journalism courses and your professors reinforce that. No more thinking of switching gears Noel; you got this. You will make it through, Noel.
You deserve to be at West Chester. Never think that you are unworthy of a spot in college. I know that you are a very pessimistic person by nature, but I am here to tell you that you belong. Never sell yourself short. You made it this far for a reason. That reason is because you are smart and you earned it.
Do not think that one bad grade or even one bad semester defines the person you are today. I know school at times can be too much for you to handle, but that happens to a lot of college students. The pressure might feel as though it is breathing down your neck and you have no hope, but I am telling you otherwise.
Is it wrong for you to feel like that? No, not at all. Almost every college student goes through doubting themselves about if they are college material. You are not alone in this fight for that stamp of approval. A stamp that states that you are college material and that you are in the right place. A stamp that says you will become a college graduate and find success with your academics; along with your future career. You will make it through, Noel.
I wanted to write you this letter because I know how your mind works. I know you better than you know yourself. I am around when you think that you can not go on any longer and maybe dropping out is the best option. I am around when you think that in every classroom you walk in, you are the weakest link. I can hear your thoughts when you look at your writing and think that is not good enough. You need to hear the truth and not the false beliefs that come creeping in every so often. You will be fine and even though I know this is not going to turn you around fully, this is the beginning of a shift into positivity. Just remember you will make it through, Noel.
Noel Guerra is a fourth-year communications and media and cultures major minoring in journalism. NG868106@wcupa.edu