History. It’s such a small word, yet such a big concept. As children, most likely, we all decided early on that we were going to acquire a degree, a nice job and never had to look back on our old lives. Let’s take a step back though. Let’s ask a simple question: Why? Why should we never look back on our old lives and just move forward with our new lives? The past can repeat itself, it’s the reason we take history in high school. It’s the reason we have historians, so if a problem arises, the past can be an answer.

Coming into a new chapter of our lives, we, as college students, or even recent alums, need to realize that the past is a part of us for a reason. It is what fuels us to succeed. Everything that we have either mastered or failed at has made an impact in both the present and future.

Thinking back, I remember that I wouldn’t be where I am today without first failing. In the spring of 2014, I found out that I failed a class, and as a result, was placed on academic probation. This was especially hard since I had actually just finished switching my major from history to interior design. Starting my first semester as an ID major, I questioned myself to be honest. I thought, what if I didn’t pass? What if I would be kicked out of the university? With all these questions running through my mind, I was scared that history would repeat itself.

I think a lot of us college students see a bright new life as soon as we move out of our parent’s house and into the real world. What is supposed to prepare us? Yes, our parents did prepare us (sometimes that’s not enough). What I’m talking about is how do we prepared ourselves? How do we prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. Most likely, we have or will have experiences that most people don’t. They won’t be able to help you. What will be able to help though, is examining your past and figuring out how not to make the same mistakes. From the result of pushing myself to limits I had never been to before and by examining my past, I was able to come off of academic probation and make it onto the President’s List. I realized where I went wrong. I realized what I could do to better prepare myself for what was ahead of me.

The concept about history repeating itself is scary. It makes us question our every move. Should I do this? What if this happens again? Except that’s the point, history is supposed to teach us about how to handle the life laid out ahead. So I ask again, why? Why should we shun our old lives and just carry on with the new? What if there was something in the past that could help with the present or even the future? History. It’s such a small word, yet such a big concept.