It's been three years since I've been in high school. College is definitely a completely different world. Sometimes throughout the semesters, however, a weekend away either at home or another college will trigger thoughts and comparisons to not only life back then, but myself.
I am not who I was in high school. I care so much more about education, if possible. I've come to realize that a higher education is necessary to do the things I want to do to make a difference or change the world in any small way I can. I encourage my friends, my roommates, and my sorority sisters to care about their education as well. Being surrounded by these types of people has been nothing but a blessing and a positive influence.
I am not who I was in high school. I've joined something bigger than myself. I look at philanthropy and service not as something to get extra credit, but as the faces of the people who need our help. Of those that aren't as fortunate or healthy as I am. I've met people from all over the planet and have begun to understand just how large and in need of love this world is.
I am not who I was in high school. I thought I was mature at 18, but it's easy to be a conceited selfist when you think you know everything. I let some friendships fail because I honestly didn't care. Maybe they were right to fail, and maybe they were toxic relationships that weren't doing anything for either one of us, but that doesn't mean that I can't recognize their significance now. Each person I spent time with back then affected me in some way, and I'm forever grateful for that. The people that spark either issues or support while we're developing into adults are really the ones that shape us. I know in another three years I'll laugh at how mature I thought I was now, but this only proves our ability to grow and change.
I am not who I was in high school. I used to pride myself in being open and accepting of things that others didn't. I have come such a far way to become so much more understanding of things that I don't necessarily agree with. I focus on more important things than fighting the issues that don't affect me. Things like love and support for those who deserve it no matter who they are or what they believe. I'm more likely to put myself into someone else's mindset and accept their actions instead of jumping to ridiculous conclusions. I know everything is not about me. Not everyone is out to get me. Everyone changes and, with that, priorities change. I've learned to accept these changes that I would have desperately tried to fight in high school.
I am not who I was in high school. I let everything affect me and couldn't quite figure out how to dodge the blows that didn't have to hurt. I've been broken several times since high school, but the way I dealt with it has evolved. I've learned to spend time with myself and work on my own happiness that is not contingent on anyone else. I've learned to forgive and understand instead of accuse and hold grudges. I've been through far worse than anything I was put through back then. And I'll go through far worse than where I've been now.
I used to fear change, but now I rely on the notion that I will change--that we all change. In some ways I've felt this is a revival. From the way I study to the way I let myself experience the truest freedoms and enjoy myself, I have changed since high school. I am not who I was in high school and I'll never be that girl again.
