4th Year letter - Class of 2025

Photography by Cat White

Our 4th years are getting ready to graduate, and we wanted to give them a chance to share some final thoughts with the UVA community before they leave.

Claire N., President

If you’re reading this, it’s okay to take breaks.

If I could go back and give my first-year self some advice, it would be that breaks are healthy and necessary and that they do not need to be productive. Listen to your body, and rest up when you need to. Every minute of the day does not need to be filled with getting something done. Relish the moments of rest, and know that you deserve to take breaks and give yourself a chance to refuel (mentally, physically, socially, etc.) before your next adventure. 

I joined IfYou’reReadingThis as a first-year. This organization has been a community for me that I have been able to lean into for the last four years. Our small size has enabled me to truly get to know my team members. It has been extremely fulfilling to help students publish their letters and to see the community response. I had the courage to publish my own letter last fall as a direct result of working with so many brave, vulnerable, and resilient authors.

Amy T., Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

If you’re reading this, embrace all the change that comes your way. 

When I first came to this school as a first year, I had just broken through months of depression, but coming across IfYou’reReadingThis and being able to share my story during my interview, helped me gain a sense of belonging. I remember being that scared first year at our first meeting in a lawn room and feeling so unsure about who I was as a person. However, as these four years have gone by, and so much has changed in my life, I feel more connected to myself than ever. Even though there have been times throughout college where I felt lost, confused, and everything in between, I wouldn’t change anything because it brought me to this point where I am today. 

Being a part of IYRT has been my favorite UVA involvement and I am forever grateful for getting to know and work with this wonderful team. Getting to share two letters during my time in this organization and learn from others about the journey they have embarked on, has changed my life and for our readers, I hope this platform served as a bright spot in your college years. If you’re reading this, know the change that happens may be daunting, but be assured that it will lead to exactly where you are supposed to be. 

Carly T., Director of Outreach

If you’re reading this, remember your journey is your own, and that’s what makes it special! 

If I could remind my younger self of one thing, it would be to refrain from comparing certain aspects of my life to others. It took me a few years to learn, but I now understand that everyone grows at their own pace. By allowing myself to trust the process, I’ve found a sense of peace in where I am and where I’m headed.

I joined IYRT at the start of my second year at UVA after stumbling across the organization and immediately feeling drawn to its mission. Over the past three years, it’s been a privilege to be part of a team working to destigmatize mental health around Grounds. Getting to know my fellow executive team members and the letter writers has been incredibly meaningful, and this experience is one I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m eager to see how IYRT continues to grow in the coming years, and I know it will continue to make a positive impact on those in the UVA community. 

Annie W., Outreach Committee 

If you’re reading this, know that it’s ok to ask for help from others!

Coming into UVA I had big concerns about making the adjustment to college life. I had been really shy throughout high school and was nervous about making friends, adapting to the academic workload, and managing my mental health. First year went relatively smoothly, but second year came with some of the most difficult emotions I have ever felt. It felt like a really massive step to start talking to people more about how I was feeling, but it ended up being one of the most beneficial things I have ever done. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be that it is not weak to share your feelings with others and reach out for help if you need. 

I joined IYRT my third year, and it has been my favorite involvement at UVA. Working on the outreach team has allowed me to connect with so many of our letter writers, and learn more about their story and why they want to share it. Talking to the authors and readers after letters have been published has opened my eyes even more to the power of sharing your story. The impact I’ve seen the letters have on our team, the authors, and the readers has been the most inspiring and rewarding part of the job. I will be forever grateful for my time with this team. 

Angie S., Peer Contact

If I could go back in time and speak to myself as a first year, I would remind her that she deserves to be here. It’s so easy to succumb to imposter syndrome when you are the “only” in so many rooms. Now I know that it didn’t matter that I was often the only first generation college student, the only black girl, or the only undergrad in a room. I was in those rooms because I deserved to be there. Throughout my undergraduate experience, there were a few times people told me I didn’t belong here, both outright and implicitly. My biggest bully, though, was myself. Every day, I would find a new way to tell myself that I got here purely by “luck” rather than hard work and dedication. This caused my mental health to deteriorate as I constantly compared myself to others and how hard they worked to be involved and maintain good grades to my own efforts.

With that being said, if I could go back in time, I would tell myself not to listen to that voice in my head, or to literally anyone else. I would also tell myself to stay grounded and remember all of my accomplishments. The nights I stayed up late in high school, coordinated meeting agendas for my extracurriculars, and earned credits for college should not be taken for granted. I would tell myself to let my accomplishments uplift me rather than letting people who did not know me bring me down. If you’re reading this and you relate, I hope you take my advice to my past self and remember that you belong here. And while sometimes you are made to feel like you won’t make it to the end, keep pushing. That's another success you can use to uplift yourself!

IYRT Class of 2025, University of Virginia

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