Last week we had an exercise in one of my classes. Though this exercise was tough, it wasn’t one of physical strength but mental. As a class, we discussed how younger generations view their parents. “Do you consider them old?" and "How do you see them at your age?” were just a few of the questions thrown our way. At first, it was funny as we went around the room describing our parents and imagining them in our own shoes. We laughed and told stories, but then the questions were turned around. The professor then began asking us how our parents see us, and eventually she got to, “How do you see yourself in your parents' shoes?” and the smirks grew very tranquil. She made it very obvious that in just a few, short years we would be in the same places as our parents. We would have a family, a career, and a lot of our lives behind us. She made it clear to us that she and our parents were just in our shoes. They were just in college, getting degrees, and living just as we are, but they blinked. They blinked and found themselves parents of college students and becoming empty-nesters. This raw reality hit us hard. We have heard countless times before all of the old sayings: “Life flies. Don’t Blink. You will be my age before you know it. I remember when I was your age. etc.” The list could go on.

As college students, we tend to avoid the questions pertaining to our lives after college. We get aggravated with the people who bombard us with questions associating with our future, yet isn’t that why we are in college in the first place - to prepare for our futures? College is a time of growth; studies show that who you become in college will most likely be who you are for the rest of your time on Earth. This is a scary thought, but it also one that should motivate you to become better and stronger. It should inspire you to work hard but still making sure you are having fun too. This is a season of life we will never get back. The freedom we live in is literally once in a lifetime. The responsibility we have now will one day be multiplied, and we will wish we could go back just for a moment. Recognize the privileges you currently have such a good grip on. Make a decision to live to the fullest in every way for the rest of your life. Seek opportunities to become the person that would make your 30-year-old self proud. When you look back, I hope you will only beam with pride and can confidently say that you wouldn’t change a thing.