There are very few times in our lives when we can be at the cusp of breaking free of our youth and yet, in the same instance, still feel so small and naive then when we are in college and venturing into our early 20s. To be sure, this is the only time where we can shed our old fears, anxieties, insecurities and regrets to start a new life and become the person we truly want to be; this is also the first time we can hesitantly slip on a pair of adult shoes and play at "adulting."
What a wonderful time to be you!
One of the things that I have realized since starting college is that these four or so years are going to shape my life in a multitude of ways. They will help determine what kind of person I am, what kind of relationships I will have, how I will treat people, what kind of a friend I will be, how people will view me and what my morals will be. These years will determine where my life will take me in the next 10 years.
It is a daunting realization, yet I find myself wanting to rise up to the challenge. Because I know that I can choose the answers to all of these things. That is the beauty of college and growing up in your early 20s, the fact that this is the time when we can truly be the creators of our own destinies. That now while we are undergoing all of these new experiences, we become the best people we can be.
That is why this is the best time to be you!
Because now your choices and decisions matter.
Not that they did not matter before, obviously, but now it is even more exciting because, as of this moment, you do not have to rely on other people to make the major decisions for you. You can choose where to live, which school you want to go to, what job to have, whether you want your walls to be fuchsia or chartreuse and whether you want Maru Sushi or Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. Any minuscule or monumental choice is up to you. These decisions can directly or indirectly affect the way you live your life: if you will be a neat freak or a couch potato, someone who knows how to adult or someone who simply fakes it til they make it. And I know that having all of this responsibility and power can seem a little terrifying and exhilarating, but that is just a part of how we grow up.
You control your future.
You can, as they say, manifest your own destiny! Your dreams can become your reality; if you pursue them and put the effort to make them evolve, you will definitely reap the benefits. It is like my Grandpa always says: "If you are a ditch-digger, be the best ditch-digger you can be." Whatever job or situation you may find yourself in, whether or not it is something that you love or hate, just do the best you can at that job. It is better to put all of your effort into something and have it fail than to not try at all and have it still fail. Because at the very least, if you give it your all, you can admit to yourself that you truly did everything you could, and that in itself will help you lead a happier and more fulfilled life. And now is the time when you have the ability to start fresh and try new things. You have no strings tying you down!
You can refocus and get your head in the game.
Being a technical adult (being between 18-21) and having access to my own funds, and therefore control of my own money, I have recently made many unwise Amazon purchases. My most recent and favorite of these purchases was the book, "Adulting: How To Become A Grown-Up In 468 Easy(Ish) Steps" by Kelly Williams Brown. This book has become my pseudo-growing-up bible, and within its hilarious pages are some tips that I find especially helpful and comforting. Here is a list of my favorite steps:
Step 5: Set reasonable goals for yourself.
Step 10: Be OK with being alone.
Step 14: Remember that, for better or worse, you are in control of your physical self and surroundings.
Step 33: Make your bed, every morning.
Step 87: Remember that the outside world only sees your outermost layer.
I highly recommend purchasing this bookm as it truly does help one to "adult."
Growing up is never easy -- any adult can tell you that -- but through the highs and lows, the moments of hilarity and lifetime memories being made, you find a sense of serenity. We will get there. For now, just be you.
