My writing student Diya had a hard choice regarding colleges since she was accepted at the University of Arizona, Arizona State, Pepperdine, Syracuse, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Merced, San Diego State University, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State LA, and waitlisted at USC, Loyola Marymount, and U Miami.

She wrote me late last week and said that she had narrowed her choices and would visit SDSU over the weekend to see what she thought of the campus. She asked me what I thought she needed to do regarding her choices. My daughters, Liz and Rachael, were with me when I received Diya’s email, and they advised me to say the following:

Having great choices is always good, so that’s the upside. I know it’s tough to choose, but just go to San Diego this weekend and see how that campus feels. You can go from there.

Late yesterday, I received another text from Diya which read:

Just accepted my offer to SDSU! Thank you for everything, Len! ❤️

Sometimes you just know you’re meant to be at a particular school the moment you walk on campus.

Congratulations, Diya. I know you’re going to have a wonderful college experience, and you’ll have the added benefit of attending a university in a charming city with picture-perfect weather.

You can feel proud of yourself. You worked hard, and your hard work paid off.

I am so proud of you and excited for your new adventure.

My best to you, sweet Diya.

Hooray!

Diya