We are so hung up on the 21^st century that lectures us to be open-minded in a world that can lead us anywhere, yet we’re silently scolded by the people put on pedestals who might eventually hire us one day about what specific experience we need to be “successful”. We’re told to get as much experience as possible, but then again some of us can only afford one degree. We want to have that extra summer internship that overrides the candidate we’re running against to grab our first job out of college because it is a competition. Because there’s pressure to start doing something right out of college, we push ourselves to gain as much experience as possible. It’s branded on our brain the first day we appear at college orientation. “It’s all about who you know”…they tell us. “It’s all about what you do with yourself”.

Some of us take our college education for granted and some of us are scared out of our mind that we aren’t going to receive a job after we invest an immense amount of money on at least four years of college. I have become so focused on working during the summer to add that one extra opportunity to my resume. I have become overly obsessed with where I can apply. Who will get my foot in the door? I’ve been in a competition with myself. How long will this last? I’m not even done with my four-year degree and I’m freaking out. I'd like to think that I don’t take every day for granted, but I can’t stop thinking about the future. I can’t help but think what else I should do and what haven’t I done that I can do. But this isn’t the problem.

The real problem: I won’t get anywhere if I think like this. You won’t get anywhere if you think like this. We are in a competition with each other, but hello, that’s the real world. That doesn’t mean we have to be sore losers when we don’t get what we want. You’ll be better at this than him and she’ll be better than you at that. That’s how it is. How does this make you stronger and what have you learned from that? How do you want to better yourself? We have become so selfish without realizing it, but are we selfish for the wrong reasons? I’m not going to answer that question because you’re your own person and I don’t think I know the actual answer.

I do know that while we are finding ourselves throughout our experiences, we can’t lose ourselves. We can’t be so focused on becoming successful that we lose the reason we want that success. We have tunnel vision to where we want to be ten years from now, but who are we pushing away and forgetting while we keep looking straight on? Maybe your theory is work now, and enjoy life later, but when’s later?

I don’t like failure, but who does? No one wants to be put in a position where they’re forced to think, “What now?” Having to put thought into the fact that you still want to continue building up your skills and achievements shows you’re determined and courageous. You’ll be discovering your “what’s next”, and let that only be a piece of you. Don’t get obsessed with it. Like it, don’t love it. Keep room for that extra prospect you discover to be what you love because you have a future. You have dreams. You have success awaiting you. Oh, and don't forget to smile.