Recent high school graduate: you crossed that stage, held the diploma you've been working towards for the past four years, and you made it back to your seat without tripping over yourself. Now what? What's next? For the majority of you, it's college; so that's what I'm going to touch on since that was my next move after I graduated high school a year ago.
What's next? Independence, responsibility, lifelong friendships, heartbreaks, homesickness, late night study sessions in the library, late night laughter sessions in your dorm room, too many ramen dinners to count, and ultimately: the start of your life. This is where you create and pursue the life you've always wanted. You choose who to surround yourself with. You choose what to major in and how much work you want to put in. You choose if you want to go to the football game, or if you want to stay in and watch "Friends." You even get to choose whether or not to make your own bed every morning. No one is making your schedule now and telling you what to do. That might scare some of you, but I promise it's a wonderful new lifestyle to adjust to.
By choosing your own path, you're introduced to the real you. Your desires, habits, passions, strengths, and weaknesses; it's like a self-revelation. And what's amazing about it is that you find people with similar passions and quirks. You find people who have depth, intellect, and maturity. People interested in what makes you and people capable of holding an in-depth conversation, not just "act friendly, small talk."
Even though I've only experienced one-quarter of my college life, so far, I can confidently say you are about to have the best four years of your life. The growth I've gained in one year away from home is unbelievable. This first year of your college life is so important to what your next three years will look like though, so don't take it for granted, work hard in your classes, make your parents proud, go to every sporting event possible, go out with your friends, never skip church, and love life. That's what you get to live, and that's what's next.
