Lesson/Activity: Write a Letter to Yourself

Understandings:

To imagine, in detail, the possible futures leading from one's own present can provide a powerful motivation for new action and perspective.

Objectives:

Students will write a private, reflective letter to themselves in which they will identify which of their values and ambitions they hope to preserve, and which aspects and or habits they hope to have changed in two years.

Activities:

Note: This lesson is meant to occur during a time when one-on-one interviews are taking place with advisees. Because it requires little supervision, the aim is that students will spend their time working on this letter while interviews are taking place outside in the hall.

Provide students letter stationary or other suitable writing paper.

Prompt: Write a letter to the person you will be two years from today. The letter should contain at least three main paragraphs. Here are some possible starting points :

1) What is happening in your life right now that you might want your future self to remember, or laugh about?

2) How do you hope you will be different from the person you are today? Describe how you imagine you will have changed.

3) What advice would you give to your future self?

Say to students: "I promise you I will not read these letters! I will be collecting these and sealing them to return to you in two years."

If students will be graduating, have them write their home mailing address on the envelope.