My little sister is graduating from high school this week and I was hit with the realization that I was in her shoes exactly a year ago. This time last year my hair was dyed a bright red (a post-breakup impulsive decision), and all I could think about was my impending future.
For the first time in my life, my future was the unexpected. In grade school I always knew what the next year of my life would like, it was predictable, but this time my predictions about the future were only met with high levels of uncertainty.
So here I am one year later. My hair is short, my major is changed, and I can't help but question: what did I learn? Am I the person I thought college would make of me?
College was exactly what they tell you it will be, a fun roller coaster ride with loops that turn you upside down, and drops that take your breath away. I learned to admit that I have dreams and I want them to become my reality.
That's why I changed my major and now study creative writing. I also came to an understanding about self-awareness and how important that is. You need to know who you are before you can decide to do anything with your life.
College teaches you things about yourself that you never knew before, things like you're way more like your mom than you originally anticipated and, as it turns out, you really don't like going to parties after all.
I think most importantly going to college makes you realize you are not the only person living in this world. The classes you take will change the way you see the world, because the world is so much bigger than your hometown and has more issues that need fixing than you thought it did.
If you're afraid to go to college, trust me I get it. It's normal to fear the unexpected, but the unexpected is the point of life. You're not supposed to know what will happen tomorrow. If you did, what would be the point?
College is the time to learn how all the pieces of yourself fit into place. This is the time in your life that's designated to discovery. So to all the high school graduates out there, enjoy this time and expect the unexpected, it'll surprise you.
