I am a planner. I need to know what is happening today, this week, next month, next year, and everything after that. I don’t like uncertainty, especially when it comes to important decisions. Even with seemingly small issues, it is easy to get caught up in the negative things going on. But throughout my college experience, I have been forced to accept that sometimes I can’t plan everything, and that some things are inevitably out of my control.

Being patient can be really challenging, I will say that. I find myself wanting impossible instant gratification for things, and from people. The anxiety that comes with the need to know everything about what the future holds is crippling, and I still struggle with it. The future can be really frightening and intimidating for people in this particular stage of life. However, taking a step back and looking at everything amazing in your life can prove to be very useful.

As college students, we are still at the beginning of our lives. While we have begun to grow into the start of the people we are going to be, we still have so much time left to go. My advice: relax. You will figure yourself out. Not everything has to be set in stone at this very moment. Actually, some things are better left unknown and up to chance. The person you are will shine through, and you will find out what you are supposed to be doing. Find your passion, and do that. Whatever makes you the happiest, and whatever you find yourself doing most- cherish that, and follow it where it takes you.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. As cliché as it may sound, I can’t help but think about how true this has become. Not getting an internship, things not working out with that guy, and not getting into classes I wanted are all things that needed to happen to make room for better things to come into my life. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have been upset about those issues because when I look at myself now, I have something even better in replace of each.

Opportunities will come and go, but knowing who you are and what you are capable of is one of the most important things to remember. As you figure out what your values and passions are, the rest will come. So something happens (or doesn’t happen) that you weren’t hoping for. Look at it as one door closing for another to open. Not everything will go according to plan. But hey that’s what makes life a beautiful mess, right?