Letter of Myself by Wal...Gage Gruning

May 1^st, 2013

Sitting at my desk by a great bay window

Dear Myself,

                You’re 18 and you just graduated high school. You may not believe this but in just four short years the U.S.’s greatest scientists have already mastered a form of time travel…but unfortunately it only works on pieces of paper. Weirdly specific, right? You may be shaking your head thinking, “what crazy person sent me this letter?” but I promise it really is future you! You’re planning to attend WSU but you had a scholarship offer to Southwestern for tennis. You believe me now?

                Anyway, I’m writing this letter to the past me to let me know what my past-future has in store for me. Wow, this letter writing to the past is slightly confusing. Okay, you will struggle a little bit during your first two years in college, first you think engineering, next comes creative writing, then literature and finally you will realize that teaching is where it’s at. My advice, experience all of these different careers, it just makes you realize how much you really want to be a teacher.

                As you make your way through college your general counselors won’t do you much good. Honestly, do it yourself. Don’t forget English 680!!! They won’t tell you about it but you need it. In this future-past you have to cram all of that extra work around student teaching. I would NOT advise you to continue that.

                Pre-student teaching is rough but is nothing compared to student teaching. Get your tasks done on time so you won’t be rushing to finish them at the last minute. Trust me, yourself, future-me. When it comes to student teaching you will be mostly okay. I’ll give you some inside information. February 21, 22, 25 AND 26 are all snow days. I would recommend starting your lesson the week before so you can have most, if not all, taught before freaky nature can ruin your spring break. But don’t worry, you do most of your typing and writing in a week and still pass. You got this.  

                In 2013 the world is so much different. Time traveling papers, flying shoes, resurrected Michael Jackson (don’t ask) and through all of these changes your life will get better. The best advice I can offer is to keep your head up and persevere. Listen to resurrected Michael Jackson:

“You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare”