I know as you begin this article you’re probably thinking ,”I’ve already heard this and I don’t need anymore advice.” Well sit down, listen up because this is one of the most important things you could learn in life.

When I entered college I wasn’t scared or nervous for the future. I wasn’t nervous to go to class, or make friends. I wasn’t scared to do start my life and learn. I was scared I would go through and not make the most of it. I was scared that I would give up or seclude myself from people. After three years of school with three more to go, I can tell you the one thing I haven’t skipped in college, it’s living my life with the right what if’s.

My advice to you, no matter your age, but especially to the new students is take chances and live your life. Stop worrying about ‘what if it doesn’t work,’ and begin new adventures. Those what ifs cannot compare or hold a candle to the experiences you could be having. This life, your life, is more important than that anxiety. Tell that boy or girl they are hot. They may not feel same way but I’m sure you made their day. Go to the weird rally that your friends may not be going to. Take a new class and eat somewhere weird. Go on adventures and scrap your knees.

I’d like to think there are good and bad what ifs so I try and live my life in the good ones. Instead of living my life with ‘what if it goes wrong’, I tend to focus more on the what ifs after. For example, ‘what if I had gone to that rally’, ‘what if I had asked that girl how she was’, ‘what if I had taken that class’. You see those what ifs are after, and much more deadly. Because you can’t take those back, so I try not to create too many. Those are the good what ifs, because if you live your life avoiding them, you create amazing stories. They make you live, cry, fear, anxious. They make you get out of bed, instead of keeping you in it.

When I went on my first mission trip to Mexico I was terrified. I had to experience new people, a new way of living, and learning a lot about who I am was; and that was just part of what came from it. Four trips later, I have a Mexico family, a stronger faith, and more confidence than ever. I fell so deeply in love with that place that now it’s going to be my home one-day.

Study abroad, cry, and take a thousand pictures (but don’t forget to look around). This life can be a hundred years or twenty. So don’t waste anytime. It truly is amazing. My advice overall, if you want something, get it. Don’t let anyone stop you. Live your life avoiding those crazy what ifs and find your passion. Because when you do find your passion, set it on fire.