The jump from elementary to middle school. From middle school to high school. And finally, what I find to be the most terrifying and exciting of them all, the jump from high school to college. Not only are you beginning to finally be treated like a real adult for the first time, but you are also living on your own for the first time. It’s pretty daunting to think about, but I firmly believe we’ve been prepared for this moment our entire lives. That we’ve made tiny jumps leading up to this big jump.

Although we hate to admit it, a lot of this help came from school and from our parents (I know, but I had to give credit to them at some point. It was inevitable really). Grades K through 12 took us through the basics of life and taught us some important lessons that will be especially important during college. It may not seem like it if you’re still stuck in the system, in fact, it may seem like utterly useless information. But alas, it does get harder as you move along in life, so those building blocks (learning your multiplication tables or whatever) were pretty important to get you where you are now. It’s almost automatic in my brain now as a teenager, to add, subtract, multiply, find grammatical errors, etc. These things are important. You need them during your time in school. You need them in life. Learn to appreciate your education, it’s a privilege.

Another time that school came in and saved the day was during our ‘mini’ times of transition. The jumps from elementary to middle to high school. When you get to elementary school it's a lot of basics, a lot of ‘hand-holding’ as the teachers like to call it. When you get to middle school, it becomes less basics, and you get told less what and how to do your work. This is where the independence starts. Then you get to high school and the hard stuff really comes into play (like letters in MATH). There’s a lot more repercussions from your wrongdoings and a lot more independence. But, through all of this, one thing is constantly there for you and unchanging for you: your parents.

Now, as you grow up and move on in school, your parents grant you more and more independence. First, it starts with later bedtimes, then more chores, then a car. Things like that. These are all little hops, skips, and jumps in your relationship with your parents. They’re allowing you more freedom as you grow up in order to prepare you and college/the real world. It may suck-I mean, believe me, I hate doing the dishes as much as the next guy but someone’s got to do it. God commands us to obey the authorities, whether it’s your teacher or your parents. Basically, anyone who is older than you, you really should respect them and what they tell you to do and what NOT to do.

But, the good thing about parents and teachers is the compassion and love they show towards us. They don't throw us into the world blindly, without preparing us, they help and guide us as far as they can. Your parents taught you how to drive so you could pass your driver's licenses test, so you could then become more independent and drive yourself to the places you need to be. And your teachers are always willing to help you out, whether it's during private sessions or during tutoring hours. These people want to see you succeed not only in your educational career but in your life.

So no matter which jump you’re on, or if you’re on one of the last and most daunting ones like me, don't be scared. God has gone before you and scoped out this place, and He won’t let you into some place that will hinder or hurt your growth as a person and as a Christian. I’ve jumped this far before. All the way from elementary school, to here and now, in college. I’ve been given all the tools I need to succeed, I just need to make use of them.