It's Crazy How Much Your Life Can Change In a Year
A year ago today, I graduated high school. A year ago today, I had a solid group of friends I thought would be in my life forever. A year ago, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted in life. A year ago, I thought I had everything together. It's crazy how much your life can change in a year.
As I write this article in the summer leading up to sophomore year, I can't help but reflect back on the last year and everything I've learned, and how life doesn't always go as planned.
1. Time flies by. It doesn't freeze like you think it's going to sometimes. You're getting older, your life changes, and there is nothing you can do about it.
2. Not all of your high school friends are going to make it to the next chapter of your life. You're going to lose touch with some of them, maybe all of them. You're all starting a new chapter in your life and you're going to make new friends and move on. It's okay.
3. You're going to change your mind...A LOT. The career path you think you're sure on and the life you mapped out are not going to turn out exactly like you thought.
4. You're going to feel nostalgic every now and then. It's okay to throw it back, go home for the weekend and hang out with your friends from high school. It's okay to go visit some of your old teachers or post throwback pictures. High school is a good time, it's okay to miss it.
5. You're going to realize the real world is a lot harder than the first 18 years of your life. Now that you're in college, you have bills to pay, harder classes, and responsibilities to be held to. It's okay to have a good time, but remember what your goals are.
6. It's okay to dream big. This is YOUR life and you can live it however you want. No one can control what you do with your life or who you become.
7. It's going to be the best year of your life.
Looking back at graduation pictures from a year ago is surreal. It's hard to believe how different my life was a year ago. It's surreal to look back at pictures from graduation and realize I can't remember the last time I talked to most of the people in the pictures. It's crazy to reflect on everything that has happened in the past year. I've changed my mind, I've made brand new friends, I've changed my career path, and I am a different, but happier person. It's crazy what college does to you and it's hard to believe no one's life really ends up the way we plan. It's crazy how much your life can change and a year and it's crazy trying to imagine what my life will be like in another year.
