It has been one year since you put on that gown and walked up on stage to receive your high school diploma. The moment you were recognized for all you have achieved in high school. For just a moment you thought to yourself, “I did it.”

Throughout the speeches given by peers and former superiors, words of encouragement and hope are exchanged. You are told you are destined for great things and then you are free. But just for a moment, you feel free.

Then suddenly all the talk about your future is about to be in play. Some go to college, some join the military, others head straight to work, some take the year off; there are numerous paths that your former classmates take.

But all that truly matters is what you decided to do.

You make goals for yourself, specific and broad. One year seems like a sufficient amount of time, but at least for me, it went fast.

Being outside of a secure environment like high school definitely has its ups and downs. And to be quite honest, the real world is alarming and even at times horrifying. One of the things I’ve learned so far though is that the world is also beautiful and full of positivity.

At first, graduation feels scary, but just like other points in your life, once you are readjusted and find your groove things seem to pick up.

With new experiences and freedom to explore what you are truly passionate about, numerous doors open up. The hard part is finding what door you want to go through.

In the world today, passionate people are an important asset that professors, employers and the general population want to see. Using your passion and finding that one thing you are good at or care a lot about is a part of what everyone does during that year after high school.

I’ve definitely felt lost during this journey, but once I realized that my plan wasn’t going the way I had expected and I accepted that, things were easier. Being flexible is just as important as having determination.

I guess looking forward one year, the best advice that can be given is the same thing you heard in your high school graduation, “your future is bright and now you are in control.” This first year after high school is crucial to figuring out your life and truly who you are as an individual outside of influences from your friends and family.

So, take this next year and develop into what you have learned. You never stop thinking about ways to improve, but hopefully, this past year has helped you establish a base of your ideas and beliefs. You can still be lost, but hopefully, you learned what isn’t for you.