*Michelle Obama shared a throw-back photo of herself to kick off the Wednesday premiere of her new IGTV about first-year college students.
The former first lady shared the photo with PEOPLE, and it shows Obama at Princeton University in 1983.
“I can still remember the mix of excitement, hope, anxiety, and fear that accompanied me everywhere I went during my first year of college,” Obama said in a statement. “If I could tell the girl in this photo one thing, it would be to slow down and take a breath — you’ve got this. And that’s exactly what I want to say to all of you out there who are just starting college. You’ve got this, and I cannot wait to see where your journey takes you and everything you learn and achieve along the way.”
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I had so much fun with @Oprah and all of the people who came out for #Oprahs2020VisionTour. Thank you for sharing what wellness means to you—here’s to making 2020 our healthiest year yet. pic.twitter.com/TjpCH41DyI
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 9, 2020
With its first-episode premiering on IGTV in mid-January, the new six-episode series via media company ATTN is titled “A Year of Firsts,” and chronicles the journey of five college freshman between now and June while Obama shares advice for along the way.
“As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to take that leap and pursue your educational dreams,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m so proud of these students. By sharing their stories, they’re helping others see that the ups and downs of the first year of college are something everyone goes through — and they’re creating a supportive community for others facing similar challenges.”
ATTN: co-founder Matthew Segal previously said in a statement, “As Mrs. Obama highlights in each episode, there are many hidden challenges to making it through college. This series will meet many students where they live—on Instagram—and share candid perspectives about how to overcome barriers.”
In a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey for her 2020 Vision tour, Obama noted that her post-presidency calling is to inspire the youth.
“My hope is that I want to empower young people,” she told Winfrey on Saturday. “I want to empower the next generation of politicians, and community activists, and teachers and doctors and lawyers. I want to be a part of laying out a set of values and principles that we can all be proud of, of this country.”
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