If you had asked me this time last year if I would hike through knee-deep mud with one shoe to the top of a mountain in Hawaii, I probably would laugh at your audacity to ask me that question. If you had asked me what I would be after college, I would probably answer simply, "a teacher". If you had asked if I'd try out for the Michigan State Dance Team after a whole year of a dance-less lifestyle, I would probably say, "Yeah, right!"
But growth and epiphanies and all that cheesy stuff really do happen during college- and my whole outlook on life has changed for the better.
Playing it safe
I always romanticized about being the risk-taking, spontaneous dreamer, but I never really knew exactly how to do it. So if you feel stuck, bored, or confused, this article may open your eyes a bit.
My past year of adventures, experiences, and even failures have occurred because I wasn't going to settle with looking back on my life and saying "What if?" I don't regret a single thing, because it has brought me so much joy to insist on a positive and unpredictable life.
An impulsive decision to travel to Hawaii with one of my best friends to visit her family made me realize that I CAN have that fearless attitude. Did I get lost in a rainforest? Yes. Did I hike over 1,000 stairs to the top of a mountain just to get that accomplished feeling? You bet I did. Did I jump off a three-story high cliff into the Pacific Ocean even though I'm not the best swimmer? Yes. These thrilling moments in my life have given me the most amazing stories-stories that I wouldn't have if I had let fear or doubt get the best of me. How does this apply to college-life you ask? Allow me to enlighten you.
The top of Kokohead Mountain, Oahu
Kamryn Romano
Getting the most out of MSU
I've gone to my fair share of advising appointments and changed my major according to tiny incidents. I started out MSU as an English major to teach Secondary Education, and of course gave the cliche reason that I had an inspiring high-school English teacher. I moved on to Special Education, due to lively visits to my sister's classroom as a Speech Pathologist. I considered switching to International Relations, due to my fascination with people and places and global education, but I just couldn't grab a hold of the politics aspect. So, I decided to play it safe, and secure a student-teaching job right out of college.
More recently, all of these changes made clear that I don't thrive on a stagnant lifestyle, and change my mind quite often, so I needed more. Last week, I met with an advisor and never felt more confident and connected to my new plan. After scrolling through the MSU majors list way too many times, I knew Journalism and International Reporting would offer me everything I needed (especially flexibility). So I'm not suggesting everyone changes their major to take a risk- but good stories don't come from playing it safe, and more importantly, this article wouldn't exist if I had played it safe.
I do understand that not every decision you make at this school will result in success, but good will most definitely come out of it. I did not make the dance team, even after countless hours of practicing since the age of three. Sure, I was frustrated, but I can say I'm incredibly proud that I tried! I never would have known if it was meant for me if I had let fear get in my way. The best part of that experience is that I met an amazing girl at these tryouts, who I knew I'd be great friends with if we ever crossed paths again, and she is now in my sorority and is my little. Not everything works out perfectly, but that's what college is for- TRYING!
You Office fans out there understand the value of this philosophy, because Pam has told us time and time again that she missed out on so many years of happiness because she was playing it safe instead of pursuing her dreams and her love interest. So use her advice! Get out there and join that club, try out for that team, apply for that study abroad, finesse that internship, make a friend in your miserable 500-person lecture! On that note, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." -Wayne Gretzky -Micael Scott -Kamryn Romano
- 9 Gifs That Perfectly Summarize Your College Experience ›
- I Asked 31 Students What The 'College Experience' Means To Them ›
Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health, says science
women in street dancing
Photo by 
man and woman standing in front of louver door
Photo by 
man in black t-shirt holding coca cola bottle
Photo by 
red and white coca cola signage
Photo by 
man holding luggage photo
Photo by 
topless boy in blue denim jeans riding red bicycle during daytime
Photo by 
trust spelled with wooden letter blocks on a table
Photo by 
Everyone is Welcome signage
Photo by 
man with cap and background with red and pink wall l
Photo by 
difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations desk decor
Photo by 
photography of woman pointing her finger near an man
Photo by 
closeup photography of woman smiling
Photo by 
a man doing a trick on a skateboard
Photo by 
two men 
running man on bridge
Photo by 
orange white and black bag
Photo by 
girl sitting on gray rocks
Photo by 
assorted-color painted wall with painting materials
Photo by 
three women sitting on brown wooden bench
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
people sitting on chair in front of computer
all stars lol GIF by Lifetime
two women talking while looking at laptop computerPhoto by 
shallow focus photography of two boys doing wacky facesPhoto by 
happy birthday balloons with happy birthday textPhoto by 
itty-bitty living space." | The Genie shows Aladdin how… | Flickr
shallow focus photography of dog and catPhoto by 
yellow Volkswagen van on roadPhoto by 
orange i have a crush on you neon light signagePhoto by 
5 Tattoos Artist That Will Make You Want A Tattoo
woman biting pencil while sitting on chair in front of computer during daytimePhoto by 
a scrabbled wooden block spelling the word prizePhoto by 
