In August, I had a clear plan on what I wanted to do and what I wanted to complete within my first semester in college. But whether it be ignorance, too much planning, or whatever else, I did not complete most of those goals. The goals either went in an opposite direction, or just stayed null, with me not even pressing to do them. Most of these goals I feel ended up being beneficial to me in the end. I feel that since my first semester is officially over I can reflect on these goals now and if they are better off incomplete. Here are two of these goals, which took the most dramatic turns:

Goal 1. Maintain relationships with high school friends

This one is a goal that I wholeheartedly feel that everyone should completely miss their mark on. This is something a lot of people might disagree with but I’m sure if everyone looks back and thinks of their old friendships and how they treat them, they are not the same as they used to be. Despite the disagreement, I know that drifting from my old friends was one of the better things to happen to me this semester. There’s no real way to branch out and be in college if you are still rooted in high school. This semester I tried my best, to text, call, etc. to every close friend that I wanted to keep. I had every intention of doing this while also making new friends, eventually I knew I couldn’t have both and I chose the one that made more sense. I stopped maintaining my friendships, and worried about my new social interactions. These interactions turned into friendships and gave me the relationships I have today. I wouldn’t have these friends without me realizing I can’t have both and letting go of my high school friends. This isn’t to say I am a different circumstance, I feel that most people have this and have to make this choice. But in order to have a stronger social life in college it is important to lessen the grip on old friends.

Goal 2. Go in with one career in mind

This goal was put together in reference to the average student’s ever changing major declaration. I heard many horror stories in reference of being behind in classes, and in turn, not graduating in the time they planned on. This made me a hard head and I decided that I wasn’t going to fall into that hole and that I was going to be one of the few that go all the way and never change my mind. I’m sure there’s some people still with this mindset, but it is not a healthy one to have. As much as I started to desire other things I turned it away in a stubborn way. Some of you are in this boat as well. The best advice I can give is to follow what you like. College is a bigger world than you have previously been exposed to and because of that you will see options that weren’t originally shown to you. Explore everything, and be aware of every opportunity you have. Once I did that I went to career fairs, talked to professionals, saw everything else I could be, and that’s where I am right now. I haven’t officially chose anything yet, of course, but I am looking through every interest I have until I find what I want. I couldn’t be happier this way.

Overall, the biggest takeaway from a first semester is that things will change. You won’t expect them too, you might not even notice, but they will. I don’t want to have this misconstrued in my first semester being a failure because most things I wanted were not accomplished: I actually think the opposite. This semester has been more of a success than I could have imagined, and I attribute that to these unaccomplished expectations. College is a new experience and things will be new and you will change. Your goals are catered to an old self and as a result of that the goals will fall undone. Embrace the failed goals and embrace the person you became.