College Reflections
At the bright age of 21, the curtains are closing on my time in college. In three short weeks, I will be walking across that stage, turning my tassel to the left, and stepping out the door into adulthood. This may just be the scariest thing I have ever done. The uncertainty, the boundless options, and the weight of my life coming at me in full force are terrifying yet exciting, and while I may not feel completely ready for it, I know it will all be okay. It always has been and always will be.
So, while I look at my cloudy vision of the future, let us take a trip through the past to see what wisdom I can pass along to you.
Starting with freshman year: the hardest year for me to remember, yet also the most life-changing. This was a year of discovery for me. Discovering what I wanted, who I was, and what I thought about the world. My advice to any freshman would be to not take things too seriously. Have fun and let yourself explore your interests; do not let anyone tell you what you should or should not do, and always do what feels right for you as an individual.
Moving on to sophomore year…this was the year of romance for me—not that it worked out, but I did learn a lot about what I want, what I need, and most importantly what I deserve. My advice to anyone in this era would be to believe what people tell you with their words and actions. You cannot change anyone who does not want to change, and there is nothing wrong with you if things don’t work out. Learning how to be a good partner is a journey and you just have to keep learning as you go along.
Now junior year, the forgettable year. My junior year was filled with school, alone time, and a deep contemplation of what my purpose was. While I still do not entirely know my purpose, I am much more comfortable and confident doing things on my own. And my advice to you would be to also learn how to be alone. There are periods of life where you will be surrounded by friends and family, but there will also be times when you are by yourself. Learn to love the time you have to yourself and to trust that you have your own back.
Last but not least: senior year. This year has been a lot; full of happiness, tears, fear, and every other emotion under the sun. Looking back, it has been a great year. I have been surrounded by friends and family and have felt the love radiating from their souls into mine. And as cheesy and classic as this piece of advice is, it is the only one I have: enjoy it. Enjoy every moment of it and don’t spend so much time worrying about the future. Let the laughter turn into audio tracks in your mind and the memories, and movies you play to yourself at night. Say yes to spending time with people, let the good things happen, and always be grateful for the things right in front of you.
All in all, I loved college. It shaped me into an adult that I am proud to be and taught me how to love and live. Thank you UTC, and thank you to everyone who has been with me in this life.
Strike Out.
Written by: Kushi Zaver
Copyedited by: Sarah Singleton & Jane Dodge
Chattanooga
