About a year ago, I received an email that ultimately changed not only my college experience, but also my life. After working towards my dream major for the last two years, I opened an email explaining to me that I had not been admitted into the program and that I would have to ultimately start over and find a new major. I can remember sitting in my bed in absolute shock as panic washed over me. What was I supposed to do next? How was I going to find a new major when I had been so dedicated and set on that one? After finally figuring out what I was going to do with my life and being so incredibly excited about it, how could I have been denied?

A year ago, I wrote an article about how it felt to be denied and about how I coped with that pressure, fear of the unknown, and how, although I was scared, I was hopeful that I would be okay.

And a year later, I can say that I am so much more than okay.

Not being admitted into my “dream major” was one of the biggest blessings in disguise I have ever had in my life. Although I was devastated at that moment in my life, everything seemed to work. My ‘back up’ major became something I am incredibly passionate about. I sit in class and love the material, the assignments, the curriculum, and what is expected of me. I have fallen in love with my quirky, goofy, and energetic teachers who love what they teach and seem so passionate about the subject at hand. Being in class is exciting.

I’ve learned a lot through this experience. It is interesting to think that something I would have considered a low point in my life at that time is something I would not consider to be a high point in my life at this moment. I believe that everything always happens for a reason but I also believe that reason is something worth exploring and looking into. How can we grow from disappointments? How can we learn from our failures? Looking back, I was blind to my options and my talents. I thought that my new major was the easy way out, when really it was the best decision for myself. Being blinded by pride was something that kept me from realizing my passion sooner.

My advice to anyone struggling after receiving that same letter is to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Try to understand why your path is changing rather than dwelling on the outcome of the situation. There is something better for you out there and once you find it, be all in. As Garth Brooks would agree, “some of life’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”