Dear Future College Kids
Start writing a post
Student Life

Dear Future College Kids

Life is way, way too short to worry about monumental decisions

17
Dear Future College Kids
Philadelphia Academy

Dear Kid,

Season’s greetings! Snow’s on the ground, Christmas is in the air, and you’re in the midst of an avalanche of decisions to be made. These are huge decisions, potentially life-changing decisions.

It seems like every day, even multiple times some days, you’re confronted with this daunting question: so what do you want to do? Phrased simply enough, but it boils down to so many bigger questions- what school you will attend, what major you will pursue, and last but most scary, how the heck are you going to pay for it all? We laugh about these things and then we cry about them, because, seriously, everything is expensive and scary and hard these days.

Adults will tell us everything will be okay in the long run. “You’ll be fine,” they say, even with a not-so-well-hidden eye roll as they go about their daily, well-established routine. Okay, you think to yourself, I know it will be fine. But that doesn’t make these decisions any easier.

I know because I’m in your shoes. I am in a bit of a unique position, being a technical senior in high school, but also a Freshman at Bethel, makes me feel like sort of an undercover spy sometimes. It’s like I’m an investigative reporter for all those who are still in high school. I’m here to tell you: it’s not as scary as it seems! Not even half as scary!

If I’m being honest, Bethel was never on my list of colleges that I wanted to go to. I was skeptical even at the beginning of how much I would like my classes. But God works in mysterious, awesome ways, and here I am at the end of my first semester of college (!!!) in awe of how He has worked in a place I wasn’t even sure I wanted to be.

Can I suggest something revolutionary? Maybe it’s not about where you go. Maybe the perfect college doesn’t exist. Maybe it’s all about what you do, wherever you end up.

I know that can be hard to hear, because, we’ve been shown a picture-perfect brochure version of the college experience- one in which you feel at home instantly, make tons of friends and great connections for your career, and become magically transformed into this academic elite.

Some people have that experience. Most of us don’t.

Truth is, you can bloom anywhere you’re planted, as long as you’re committed to making it happen. If you want to go out of state for that, fine! Liberal arts? Woohoo! Ivy league? Go for it! And, hey, if you don’t want to go to college, but would rather go into missions or the military or a trade, that’s fine, too!

Life is way, way too short to worry about monumental decisions. Go with your gut. Pray about it tons. Then just go. Live out the adventure your heart longs for. You might think that adventure is far away or out-of-reach, but adventure is everywhere the moment you start to look for it.

You can do this. You can do this. You can do this.

Sincerely,

Fellow Kid-Turned-Adult

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

46411
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

29423
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953711
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

163163
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments