A lot of us grow up hearing that you need to graduate high school, go straight to college, and graduate in four years. At 18 years old, you should know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. You should do well in your classes and manage to live on your own for the first time, while also being extremely involved and having a full social life.
Sound overwhelming? It is and I'm sure a lot of people are familiar with feeling like you're drowning your first year of college. At 18, we've barely had enough time to experience life or start to understand who we truly are. How in the world am I supposed to know what I want to spend the next 50 years of my life doing? How do I do that while trying to adult for the very first time?
It is a lot to take in and it's scary not knowing if you're making the right choice. Sometimes, it feels like everyone around you has it all figured out and you're the only one who hasn't found your calling or place yet. This is exactly how I felt for my first three years of college. I took class after class, talked to different advisers, and switched my major four different times before I finally found what I loved. I finally found what I loved, but it wasn't until the end of my junior year and that meant I would have to add on two extra years. So now, I am the fifth year, super senior. Some people might be pumped at the idea of two extra years in college, but I was not. Two years is a lot of money, hard work, and time. I was afraid of what my family would say and I was really upset that I wouldn't graduate with my class.
But you know what? Screw the idea that you have to finish in four years. Screw the idea that you have to know what you want the second you graduate high school. The beginning of adulthood is a really crazy time. With the amount I changed from my freshman year to my junior year, I'm not surprised that I changed what I wanted to do! I am okay with the fact that I am not finishing college in four years. I took extra classes in different areas that made me more well-rounded. By the time I found what I wanted to do, I was eager to be in my classes and learn. I wasn't wasting my time waiting for what new thing was going to happen every weekend.
I have extra time that I can spend walking around my favorite campus in the world. I can do different things I never had time for before, like going out with new friends or getting involved in campus organizations. Now, I have more time to think about what I really want to do right after I graduate. Before, I thought not finishing with my class would be something to be embarrassed about. Now, I'm thinking it might be the gift I never wanted. If you're a fifth or sixth year student or you're a non-traditional student, embrace it. Starting college at 18 and finishing in four years isn't the only way to do things. Create your own path and be proud of the education you're getting!
