College Has Been A Journey | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

College Has Been A Journey

It's taught me a lot about life and identity.

32
College Has Been A Journey

I remember the day I moved into my dorm freshman year. I can remember when I met my roommate, Reggie. I remember how happy and proud my parents were when they dropped me off.

When I think about my progression from that day to the second I wrote this article, my first thought is about how young I was. Yes, younger numerically but more so emotionally, intellectually, and also, in terms of, maturity.

A journey is a perfect word to describe college, particularly for me. Coming into college I had no conception of what I wanted to do in life. I knew I could be anything I wanted to be (at least that's what my dad says), but that is easier said than done. I had no intended major coming into college because I was aware (told) that I could do anything in this world.

After three and a half years of school, I still have no clear idea of what I want my life to look like.

Notice the jump from major to life-course?

What I've learned in these 39 months is that college is about developing your identity. This is the first time that many college students are away from their parents. This is also the only time in their lives where they will eat, sleep, shit, play, learn, hang out, and interact in an environment where most of the surrounding people are the same age.

Under these circumstances, a journey is an appropriate term to use. After all, for any journey one must pack up their belongings are going somewhere else (that was a joke).

The person that I was on August 9th, 2015 (or whatever it was) is not the same person writing this article. Readers or college graduates can attest to their development after just their first year. During this period, I met several of my close friends and began to develop who I was as an individual during this time. My second and third years were more intellectually challenging since I began to explore my interest both within in my major and in other disciplines.

Along with this journey, I have made and lost friends developed and refined new interest, and learned a whole lot about personhood and identity. Going back to figuring out what I want to do in life, it is normal to not know what you want to do as a career and especially not how you want your life to look.

If these last three and a half years taught me anything is that you not supposed to know exactly what you want to do. That may sound counter-productive since college is billed an experience designed to help you do exactly that. I find fault in that logic because of what my dad would tell me when I was younger- you can do anything in this world.

Several experiences, from successes on our school's debate team to getting a student research assistantship, have proven to me that my dad was right. Before this journey started I knew but didn't believe I could do anything in this world. I am close to the end of this journey and along the way, I became a believer.

I have one more semester of undergrad and if I pinpoint exactly what I want to do then that is wonderful. If I do not, that is college.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Illistrated image of colorful balloons and fireworks
StableDiffusion

With each new year comes new goals.

Deciding on a goal can be hard, unsure of what to change for this new year. A new goal for myself is to be happier and take care of myself more. I am a very driven person; so driven that I commit to a million and ten things.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

3108
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less
mistake
Project Eve

Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments