Two years ago, it was the summer before my senior year ... I had all of these plans about where I wanted to go to college, what I wanted to major in, how my life would be perfectly planned out. Little did I know, almost none of those things would actually come true. That summer my world was turned upside down. I attended Summer Seminar at the United States Naval Academy, which at the time, was where I dreamed of going to school. I wanted to attend one of the most prestigious institutions, serve my country, and become a doctor. However, after that week, I realized my plans might not work out. I didn't love the Naval Academy like I thought I would and definitely could not picture myself being there for the next four years of my life.

I faced so many new changes, thoughts, and ideas, it was more than I could keep up with. I became depressed because I thought that I was not good enough for certain things or certain people and I would end up not knowing what to do with my life.

Fast forward to my freshman year of college ... I absolutely love the college I attend and am so glad I chose to be there. But, something was still missing. I had plans of majoring in Biology and becoming an OBGYN. After two semesters, two C's, and one professor telling me I was not capable, I realized I was not going to be able to pursue a Biology degree. Once again, my world was turned upside down, I wasn't good enough again. "People are going to think I'm stupid." "What if I'm not good at anything else?""What will I do for a career?" "I'm going to be poor." Those were just a few of the thoughts running through my mind. I based my worth off of my capability to excel in a subject that just didn't click for me. I didn't praise myself for the good grades I made in other areas, I knocked myself down, yet I did the best I could.

But then I realized: I have four years to figure out what I want to do, and no matter what anyone says, that is totally OK. In today's world, we are constantly pressured to have every little detail planned out. From the time we are in middle school (or even younger), the most popular question at a family gathering is "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" I couldn't count on two hands how many times I have changed my mind since I was a seventh grader. We get so caught up in trying to impress people with our good grades, high ambitions, and academic accolades, that we forget to enjoy being young and spontaneous. We shouldn't be ashamed for not having it figured out or changing our minds a time or two. Life is all about choices, why should we jump the gun?

I know that I want to help people, enjoy my life, have a family, travel, and be able to give my future kids what my parents have given me. So what if I don't know what I want to be when I grow up yet? I have my priorities straight, I am working hard, I stay out of trouble, and I live a life that I am happy with. And that is more than enough for me right now.

Don't get me wrong, there is a time that will come when it's imperative to have a plan, but for now ... Plans change.