“Letter to my Freshman Self,” From Sarah Thigpen
Mary Asta Halvorsen | May 16, 2024
When Sarah Thigpen came to The College at Southeastern, she knew that she loved the nations and wanted to tell people about Jesus. She knew she wanted to make memories and friendships and enjoy her college experience. But she couldn’t have guessed the things that God had in store for her or the places she would go.
This past Friday, Sarah graduated from The College with a Bachelor’s degree in global studies, and now, as she is preparing to embark on the next adventure, she has taken a moment to reflect back on the past few years. Below is a letter she has written to her freshman self with advice, encouragement, and wisdom that is applicable to any new college student eager to enter this new, foundational season of life.
Dear freshman Sarah,
Congratulations on beginning your college career at the school you’ve always wanted to go to! I know you’re busy with all the exciting welcome week events, but if I
can have a moment of your time, I’ve got some things to share that you really ought to hear.
You’ve heard people say that college goes by quickly and to enjoy every minute, but that’s far too vague, so I’m going to give you some very clear things that you should treasure.
- It seems small, but those lunches after chapel with friends are going to be some of your favorite memories. You’ll regret the times you choose homework over these meals.
- Treasure your time in the classroom, and don’t let your fear of saying something stupid keep you from participating.
- You might laugh at this one, but you really should appreciate living in the dorms. You live so close to so many amazing people, and you live on such a beautiful campus. Work to cultivate a thankful heart instead of wishing this season away.
I know you feel like you don’t have much time for things apart from school, but I encourage you to find an outlet of meeting people off-campus and investing in those relationships. One day you might look up and realize that all your friends are believers, which is wonderful, but you can’t get comfortable living in a bubble. I don’t care if this is something familiar and fun like playing in a rec volleyball league or something that might push you like working at a Waffle House — you need to put yourself in situations where you can overflow the love of God to people who are far from him. Additionally, find a church quickly and invest in it deeply. You need older, wiser people around you who can speak into your life and help you navigate the questions you will encounter. Your school community is phenomenal, but it is no substitute for the church.
You need to put yourself in situations where you can overflow the love of God to people who are far from him.
College won’t be easy, but there is so much joy ahead of you!! Go dance in the rain during breaks from class! It’s worth sitting in wet clothes and freezing for the next hour and a half. Climb a tree during a study break — you’ll think about
that day every time you walk past it. Don’t be intimidated by Going Friday; you will be blessed immensely by what the Lord does when you step out of your comfort zone for him.
Jesus is going to use this time to grow you — remember that’s why you are here. You will learn many good things about theology and ministry, but the most important thing you will leave with is a deeper relationship with Christ. Any other pursuit is secondary. Hear me when I say, your time with him is indispensable. You’re going to have a hard time slowing down, but please, take time to just sit and be with him. You will come up on situations, school-related and otherwise, that will seem insurmountable. Sometimes you’re going to succeed, and sometimes you’re going to get humbled, but Christ will see you through every time. Don’t doubt him or forget his faithfulness. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.
Sometimes you’re going to succeed, and sometimes you’re going to get humbled, but Christ will see you through every time. Don’t doubt him or forget his faithfulness.
As you learn more about both God and man, you’re going to understand what a miracle it is that anyone can turn from a life of sin and know the Creator intimately. Let this prompt you both to praise him for your salvation and to pray diligently for opportunities to share your hope with others. I know you love the nations now, but over the next few years you are going to see so much more of God’s heart for all peoples. This season is not a necessary hurdle to get to the real work of ministry. You are loving the nations now by preparing well to serve him among them. Even your time at college isn’t about you. Let this motivate your studies.
Dear freshman Sarah, there is so much joy, struggle, and growth ahead of you. If one word characterizes you, let it be “grateful.” The Lord is and will always be abundantly good.
With love,
Sarah Thigpen, Class of ’24