Walking in as a freshman at college can be a scary experience. Three and a half years ago, I would never imagine that I would be where I am now. I walked in not knowing how I was going to handle the pressures of college especially trying to juggle working and having my classes get harder and harder as I progress in my two majors. But here I am, four months from graduation and I'm so proud that I have made it this far. I couldn't be happier but more nervous at the same time to step into the "real world". Thinking back on it, I've already learned a lot in these few short years that are some of the most valuable lessons that I will remember forever.
When graduating from high school, we were all so excited to get out of the prison that we grew up in. We were ready to branch out and find ourselves. Instead of going away for school and getting that so called "college experience" that everyone swears I needed to have, I stayed home. Sometimes I regret my decision and wish I went away to go join in the party phase, but at the same time I am so glad I didn't. Being at Cleveland State University, I still got a great education and have saved so much money. So while all of you people got to party every single night and are $40,000+ in debt, I'm chilling with my $16,000 in loans and not even mad about it.
Another thing we all thought when we graduated high school was that we were going to stay friends with our "best friends" because nothing could change our friendship. Ha, we thought way wrong. Friends come and go, it's a normal thing that happens and it's ok. Although I have grown and made new friends, I am glad I've had at least a few friends that have stayed by my side through thick and thin since college started.
Now here comes the scary part: life after graduation. To be honest, I still don't know what path I want to take in life. I double majored in hopes that one would stick out to me more than the other. Instead here I am juggling what I want to do with the rest of my life and that scares me. At 21, I feel as if I am so young and I have so much ahead of me, which I do. I have my whole life ahead of me. But in today's society, we are expected to figure out our lives so young and jump into our careers. That's why I made my decision to work myself to take six classes last spring and then take summer classes this past summer. Instead of graduating Spring 2017, like a typical four year degree, I sacrificed my sanity and decided to work ahead to graduate this December. Did I do it to get college over with? Yes absolutely, but I also did it to prepare myself. I don't know if I want to go to grad school, or what kind of career I want. So graduating a semester earlier than planned is giving me a chance to prep myself for the GRE in case I do want to follow the grad school track or if I do find a job I love, I can figure out how to get it.
Good luck to anyone on their own personal endeavors, college can be tricky but you got this.
