Meet the 2023 Scholars

"Write a letter to your younger self during a key moment in your life addressing one or more of the following: words of encouragement, lessons you have learned and/or challenges you have overcome."

Dear Incoming Freshman Emma, Transitioning to a new community in a new state is undoubtedly frightening. When you’re moving into college and starting that new chapter, everyone tells you to “be yourself” and “get involved”. It’s simple advice, but can seem so heavy in the midst of leaving your childhood home and comfort-zone community. Therefore, I know you are feeling a bit uneasy right now and you may not even fully grasp what you are about to get yourself into. So, I wanted to give you a positive report from almost the other side. I am currently an incoming senior and wanted to let you know that while everything is unpredictable, it looks like it's turning out alright after all. The key, however, is to stick to your goals and never lose sight of what you want to achieve while lost in the commotion of college life. One thing you definitely are not expecting is that a global pandemic is going to hit just as you are officially setting in during the second semester of freshman year. This was extremely disruptive and upsetting since you just had met an amazing group of people after struggling to find a dependable group the first semester. UD will decide to provide extremely limited housing and make all classes virtual for your sophomore year as well, so you will decide to take the year off from school and work full time. It wasn’t traditional and it wasn’t easy, and many days I still reflect on experiences lost during the “COVID years”. But, it did provide the reset I needed to realign my goals. I learned that you are deserving of success. You have the ability to soar academically, so don’t let anyone get in the way of this. Focus on yourself, even when it’s hard. Start getting involved now. Don’t be nervous to go to things alone. College comes with the beautifully unique opportunity to take advantage of so many activities at once, all so close to each other. I know it can be hard to be productive while living amongst the distractions of a freshman dormitory, but friends who pressure you will not truly last as your friends. The sadness you feel about trying to fit in with your floor section will be entirely shadowed by a newer, more bittersweet sadness when it’s time for your solid friends to graduate. These are the types friends that you'll travel abroad with and hug every night before walking home. One day, leaving college will be as sad and scary as starting it was, so even though the adjustment is difficult, please remember that the pain is only temporary. You are so resilient and I am so excited to see how we continue to grow together. Sincerely, Incoming Senior Emma