As I enter my fourth year at a university that has become deeply rooted in my heart, I have come to realize that so many of the things I have learned since leaving home at 18 years-old were not learned in a classroom or taught by a professor. The true lessons I have learned in the last three years come from the people around me, the chances I have taken, and the new experiences I have had.
When I made the choice to leave home after graduating high school, with no experience of being “on my own” in the “real world,” I had no idea that it would be one of the best decisions that I have made thus far in my life.
I learned very quickly that good friends are vital and necessary. I made friends, genuine friends, who I will cherish for a lifetime. Friends who support me, laugh with me, and love me unconditionally. I have found the people who know me, I mean really know me and all of my flaws, and still want to do life with me. The people who want to be my friend without any underlying motives or expectations. The people who will tell me when I’ve made a mistake and then stick around to help me through it. The people who just want to be with me whether we are traveling the world or sitting together, not saying a word. I have found the most beautiful, intelligent, capable people who are eager to be a part of my journey every day and I never even knew that I needed them.
I have learned that taking chances can lead to some of the most incredible opportunities. I took the chance and joined an organization of women, who are some of the most talented and amazing people that I have ever met. Through this organization, I have been given chances to grow, lead, love, travel, and learn in ways that I would have never known without it. I have learned who I am and what I want, but most importantly, I have been equipped with the tools to be any one I want to be.
I have learned that trying new things, seeing new places, meeting new people, exploring new emotions, exploring old emotions, and just simply allowing life to take you wherever you end up is the way to find a genuine peace in your heart. I have learned that I don’t have to control every aspect of my life, I don’t have to always have myself put together. It is okay to fall apart sometimes, as long as you get back up and try again. I have learned that hard work and dedication can achieve nearly everything. I have found a new passion that I never knew I had and I have found the courage to put aside what I thought was my dream and explore a new dream that has made happier than I ever thought possible.
College has taught me that it is okay to have fun and to make mistakes, but it is never okay to stop challenging yourself to be the best version of who you are. College is fun, it is challenging, it is overwhelmingly difficult at times, but it has been the most incredible three years of my life.
