Dear Eva of Monday Morning,

Before you walk into your first day of grad school, I hope three things for you. Firstly, that you will not be late. I would hate that sheepishly slinking into your seat be the first impression your professor has of you. Second, that you keep your wits about you; neither dying of absolute fright on the spot at hearing your name called (it might only be roll-call) nor become so intimidated by the brilliance of your fellow students that you throw in the towel before you’ve even tried. Remember that nothing of value comes without hard work and sacrifice, so take a deep breath, bunker down and nose to the grindstone. Lastly, and my greatest wish for you is to maintain perspective. You may feel like you’ve signed your soul away, along with your life savings in choosing grad school, but this is an experience that will only enrich you. Remember that there is life outside of text books, and above all else, to stay humble and grateful to everyone that has lifted you up to where you are.

Try not to think of everyone else looking around the room as if they’re sizing up the competition, and that grades are a zero-sum game with only so many A’s to go around. Instead, think of them as the faces that will only grow more familiar and comforting as the weeks and months tumbleweed into mounding pressure and deadlines. These are the future friends you will make, and you will learn and receive much if you are willing to be open.

Adventures come in many shapes and forms. As much as I know you crave to be out on the road with your beloved Nikon, grad school will be one wild ride. The horizon holds much in store for you. Relax. You will be back out in the Himalayas with the highland nomads before you know it.

Sincerely,

Eva of Sunday Afternoon.

(photographed en route to Mt. Everest)