Taking Risks in College
Start writing a post
Life Stages

​​Taking Risks in College​ ​

"Do what feels good. Take risks. You have this one life. Make yourself proud." Beardsley Jones

104
​​Taking Risks in College​ ​

College has the potential to be the most incredible and defining chapter of our lives, shaping us not only academically to prepare us for a hopefully plentiful career, but also socially, mentally, and emotionally.

College is an opportunity for us, finally independent adults, to construct the foundation for our future and experiment with who we want to become.

From the first moment we arrive on campus, we are baptized with an overwhelming swarm of information left for us alone to wrestle with, an overwhelming abundance of expectations from seemingly every direction, and truly overwhelming decisions we must make. This is only academic; most of us are starting from scratch to find friends which for many including myself is a stressful thought in itself, all the while missing the security of home, and many, many more concerns that plague the average freshman.

Prior to my arrival onto campus, I assumed that what I was known for in high school would seemlessly translate to college. To my surprise, by the middle of the semester I was performing poorly in the two classes that I assumed I would excel in the most. It hurt especially because I convinced myself that those two classes, first semester freshman year classes, were crucial in order to achieve a dream I had fought and yearned for throughout my entire life.

I needed those classes in order to audition for a major that I thought was absolutely perfect and ideal for me, but with the reveal of midterm grades, I concluded that I would need to approach my goal from a different path.

I knew that I needed to force myself to acquire a fresh perspective, and forgive myself for taking a risk that did not work out how I hoped it would.

College provides us with the opportunity to redefine and re-redefine ourselves. I understand the desperation to find some sense of common ground and normalcy within all aspects of our new adventure in the midst of the chaos, but in order to truly seize this opportunity, we must expect and accept imperfection as well as decisions that lead to dead ends.

Making the most out of college means finding the grit and determination within ourselves to branch away from the shallow end of what we thought was sure by taking risks with no idea of what the outcome will be. We should be so proud of ourselves for taking risks to hopefully achieve a goal; if we fail, it does not have to be the end all be all of a dream.

With a change of perspective, we can more often than not find a window to reach the same goal rather than going though the most obvious route.

Just because we fail does not mean that we will never succeed. We must not give up so easily, because anything worth the effort of striving for in life will require persistance that can only come from within ourselves.

We need experiences that call into question who are are, and force us to ask what is worth fighting for. They comprise the most important parts of who we are. To let embarrassment, anger, and disappointment in our failures prevent us from learning and potentially gaining a new outlook on life would be doing a disservice to ourselves. That is the whole purpose of college; to take risks and devise a strategy to recover and pick ourselves back up again if we experience discouragement like failure or rejection.

The most fulfilling knowledge resulting from experiences even beyond college will not come easily. Growth comes from the path we take, the obstacles we overcome, and the risks we gather the courage to make.

College will surprise us. We will meet the harsh reality that not everything will work out how we want it to, and as we pick ourselves up we may find that reality left a bruise. I implore you to remember that bruises fade, and protecting ourselves from acquiring them is not worth more than the parts of ourselves that we discover through risks.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51404
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32983
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956003
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180961
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments