I’ve lost track of how many senior years I’ve had at this point. I think I’m in at least my second – I like to say I enjoyed my first so well, I came back and did it again. Super-senior-dom is sort of a "bad word" when you’re in high school, synonymous with being held back, and often a crippling blow to your self-worth. It’s particularly difficult for someone like myself who values the coveted "A" and checks the closet and under the bed for failure each night instead of monsters.

It’s a little different in college, though. In college it’s okay to spread out, try a lot of new things, and eventually you discover failure and self-worth have little to no connection to speak of. Sometimes failure is simply a sign that something ‘isn’t for you.’

I spent the first couple of years in college a little bit lost, exploring a major that wasn’t ‘for me.’ I took my first failure in college hard and it made me question if I was really doing the right thing. The answer? I wasn’t doing the right thingat all.

It was after a discussion with my flute teacher one evening that I discovered the possibilities of the interdisciplinary studies program and specifically combining the areas of music technology and public relations. I’d already been doing PR work for my weekly radio program and with my obsession with the way things sound – I set forth building my own music production and music promotions major, tailor made to fit my interests and talents.

I added time to my college experience, which at first really, really bothered me. However, as the semesters have gone on, I found my niche. When I started college, I was lost, had trouble making friends and didn’t feel like I fit in or understood my environment.

Everything has changed. I have made meaningful, lasting friendships that I cherish deeply and with the freedom to explore the possibilities of the recording studio, I’m now exploring my creative side. Whereas I used to head for the road the minute my classes ended, now I’m finding myself getting involved, hanging with friends until the late hours, and spending priceless moments developing young artists in both the fields of music production and promotion.

Is it rewarding? You bet. I’m working incredibly hard, taking more classes than ever, classes that I want to take (like photography) and aside from a few stressful moments, life is good.