Ever since we were born, our parents expect us to be the best that we possibly can be in life and that our lives will be long and fulfilling. As we grow older, these expectations only become greater and more demanding. For example, with my family, it has always been expected of me to go to college and become someone important in the future. Not only that, but it is expected of me to be successful both socially and economically. Don't get me wrong, this is a great expectation and one that has shaped and led my life ever since I could understand the concept of what education is. Despite appreciating this pressure from my parents and family, there is always that nagging thought in the back of my mind: What if?

What if my major becomes too overwhelming, and I just can not take it anymore? I think about this a lot whenever I am up late working on an assignment that I'm not completely sure if I'm doing it correctly, or when I have an overwhelming amount of assignments due on the same day. In the end, I work my hardest and remind myself as to why exactly I am making this sacrifice; it will all work out in the end.

What if further down the road I end up not enjoying my major, but I have already committed so many hours towards this career? At this point, I would not have the time and much less the several grand in tuition needed to redirect my life, and I would inevitably be stuck with my decision. All I can do is keep on going and hope that I made the right choice for myself.

At the same time, what if all the pressure to be great on my shoulders has led me to make the best decision of my life? Right now college is my life, and despite all the struggles I am enjoying the independence of making my own decisions. If this is the challenge that will lead me to live the life that I am meant to live, then so be it.

Also, what if after all this hard work, I am able to live up to my parents' expectations and possibly even surpass them? To be honest, this is my major life goal, and if this ever happens I will be eternally grateful to God, my parents and all those who helped me along the way. It is the possibility of this achievement that keeps me going on those late nights, for a successful career and a prosperous life is all I could ever ask for.

In life, we must learn that there will always be struggles and sacrifices and that when we feel like giving up is when we most have to keep on going. There will always be those "what if's" in the back of our minds, and even though most of those thoughts may be negative, we just have to constantly remind ourselves about the positive. Expectations are good because they are what will keep us motivated even in our darkest hour, so instead of resenting them, we need to embrace them. If there is one thing that I hope that everyone can get from life, is that all life decisions have consequences, whether they are agreeable or unfavorable. Life is about taking chances, and pushing forward regardless of our doubts; it is just a matter of crossing that bridge. We will appreciate it in the end, someway, somehow, because that is just life.