It is a simple and universal life lesson that has been passed down for generations. Many of us heard the phrase countless times from our mother's when we were growing up, who first heard it from their own mothers and then learned the validity of it as they grew up: Life goes fast. There are endless country songs, phrases and stories about how fast life truly goes.
As children, the wait between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. when your favorite TV show feels like an eternity, and waiting for a November birthday during the summer is a nearly painful experience. Don't even get me started on how long the drive to Florida from Indiana felt when Mom measured the trip in episodes of "Little Bear." Grandpa's house was two episodes of "Little Bear" away, but Florida had to have been every single episode in existence.
I am 21 years old and like many people my age, I never slow down. I strive to find that perfect balance between school, working, extracurricular events, traveling, spending time with my family, seeing my boyfriend and working out. In my free time, I like to sleep and watch Netflix. The reality is that, although often sleep deprived, I am living a life that I absolutely love. It is busy, stressful and hard at times - but so is everyone's. Feeling satisfied to me means going to bed and knowing that I accomplished as much as possible, and I know I'm not alone in that.
Some days of college (and some unfortunately required courses) have felt like they would never end, but the reality is that it has gone by so fast. When I was first starting college, I had so many questions about what it was going to be like. Now my only question is this: How am I a senior?
There is nothing truer than the lesson that life goes fast and that you should never take a moment, day or person for granted. Mom, you were right when you told me that life goes fast, and I am so thankful that you made sure I spent so much time with my grandparents growing up. Each time I complained about how far away Christmas was, you said that it would be here before we knew it - and that seemed like an exaggeration, but I know now that it wasn't.
To the high school students reading this, please do me a favor - drop everything and go get lunch at your favorite hometown restaurant with your best friends. I know you promise one another that you will be there for each other for forever, but life happens and it happens fast. You may go months, even years without talking or seeing one another - so spend all the time you can with one another now. You truly will always love your high school friends, but things do change. I'm being honest when I say that I wish I had stayed up later some nights and gone on more adventures with mine. While not everyone I was close friends with in high school are active people in my life now, they all played such an important part in making me who I am today and will hold a special place in my heart. Luckily, my best friend from high school and I have been able to remain friends. It is possible.
To the college freshmen reading this - I know you are excited. I know that you were told in high school that it would go fast. During high school, there were probably nights when you wished that you could graduate early to avoid the drama or the immaturity. I know that the hour you spent each day sitting in chemistry during your sophomore year may have felt like it lasted an eternity, and the people who told you that high school was some of the best days of their life seemed crazy. I promise that college is going to go by in the blink of an eye. You will have days that seem longer than the wait for summer break did in elementary school, but before you know it you'll be starting your senior year. My advice to you is to join many clubs, travel as much as possible and meet as many people as soon as possible. Don't wait. You have four years to fill with the busiest days and best adventures of your life. The days may seem long at times, but I promise it goes fast.
It doesn't have to be a sorority because I know Greek life isn't for everyone but join at least one club or organization if you can.
I could write pages of cliche advice - spend time with your parents, visit your grandparents, travel, try new things, try something that scares you - but the truth is, although cliche sounding, these are real lessons that I wish I would have listened to my freshman year of college. There were some weekends when I would come home from school, crawl into my familiar comfy bed, turn on "Law and Order" and promise myself that I'd see Grandma next weekend. While I truly feel lucky to have been able to come home from college one weekend a month, and that I was able to see my Grandma almost each time I came home to visit, I should have gone more.
The last time I visited her, I promised I would come back the next weekend for Easter. Life got in the way and I didn't make it to see her on Easter, but I knew I'd be home the next weekend for my Dad's birthday. I ended up being home the next weekend, and the difficult days that followed, to see her right before she died and for her funeral.
I know it may not be possible to go home as often as I did, but I highly encourage you to make time for the important people in your life. Spend time with the people who matter most - visit your parents whenever possible, text your Mom good morning, call your Grandpa back even if you don't know what to talk about, visit your friends and send your brother a care package. I know that traveling is a luxury and is expensive, but do everything you can to find ways to travel during college.
Mission trips and studying abroad are expensive but honestly worth it if you have the chance. Road trips to towns or states you haven't visited with your closest friends are just as memorable. I waited until this summer to finally use the small savings I had made during college, beg my parents and convince myself that studying abroad in Europe for two weeks was a good idea--and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Doing things that scare you and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone every once in a while is the only way you can grow. Bungee jump, parasail, fly a plane, go on a blind date, try a new hobby - just do it.
Joining an organization related to my major.
My last photo with my Grandma who passed away during Junior year.
Like the Nike slogan, I encourage you to "Just do it." Do everything possible, live each day to it's fullest, love boldly and laugh loudly. Remember that even on the hardest and longest nights of college that life is going by in the blink of an eye. Learn from your mistakes, accept what you cannot change and experience as much as possible.
Before you know it, you'll be asking yourself the same question I am: How am I a senior?
