Letters to their Future Selves: Graduates Receive Letters Written in First Year
“This class met for the first time on the first day of the Fall 2022 semester. For nearly all of the students, it was their very first time in a university classroom, and because of the COVID pandemic, many had not been in person for quite some time. I remember walking into the classroom on that first day. It was absolutely silent. Many of the students looked anxious or scared. I reassured them it was going to be okay!”
Political Science Professor Erin Tolley remembers that first-year class in the Fall of 2022 and her realization that the students needed to adjust to normal life again.
“I also realized that because of its small size—this is the advantage of a first-year seminar—this class was an opportunity to help them see that university is a place where you get to find your footing, explore new things, and learn and grow. We worked on that throughout the semester, and many of the students blossomed. At the end of the semester, I shared with them that in my own life, I haven’t always stood back to see how far I’ve come. I encouraged them to reflect on the past four months and to use those insights to advise and encourage their future selves. That’s what the letters were for.”
Tolley asked the students to write their future selves a letter, which she would return to them at the end of their fourth year—unopened.
“No, I didn’t read the letters. I promised students I would not! I wanted them to feel free to be honest and unencumbered, to write knowing they were the only audience for the letter.”
Tolley mailed them to the students in the spring of 2026, four years later. Meghan Moore was one of the students who received one.
“I didn’t even remember that I had written the letter. I talked about my hopes for the future since I had only just started university and I had no idea what my future would be like. I wrote things like “hopefully you challenge yourself more” or “I hope university is going/went really well and you finally know what you’re doing in life.” I was in the process of moving out for the very first time to live with roommates I had never met before, which I briefly mentioned in the letter and wished myself good luck with the move. Looking back on it now, that was one of the best decisions I ever made and really transformed my life throughout university.
Overall, it was very nice to feel like I connected with my past self. I got to live out things that she had been wondering about, and they all turned out better than I had ever imagined.”
Student Brooke Muzzatti had also forgotten about the letter.
“I was quite surprised when I received an email from Professor Tolley asking where to send it. I am so glad that Professor Tolley followed through and sent us our letters four years later. I wrote about my desire to become a Residence Fellow (RF) and complete an exchange semester in Ireland. I did both. Being in that role and having that international experience shaped the path I now take as I complete my undergrad. Nevertheless, while I have grown in many ways, I have also been quite consistent throughout my university career. For example, I asked myself if I were still working at the House of Commons for my hometown MP – a unique opportunity I was able to have because of Carleton’s location in the nation’s capital. Little did first-year Brooke know that I would be opening my letter at the House of Commons in the same office, but in a new role!”
Muzzatti also found the first-year seminar experience to be beneficial.
“The unique learning environment offered by the first-year seminar allowed me to make connections with peers from different programs that I have maintained throughout my time at Carleton and have been among the most meaningful.”
International student Ana Clara Miranda Guimaraes also benefitted from the seminar.
“Professor Tolley’s first-year seminar allowed me to transition into university in a variety of different ways that a lecture would not necessarily provide me with the same experience. I learned how to write a bibliography, how to properly do citations, how to write effectively academically whilst receiving direct feedback from the professor herself. During Christmas time, Professor Tolley walked us outside to see the snow and brought Canadian chocolate for us, international students, to try. This is a unique, personal experience only FYSM will provide you with.”
As for the letters, Tolley says she would consider doing it again.
“We don’t spend enough time looking back and contemplating how far we’ve come: I think it’s worthwhile to do so.”