College will be the greatest four years of your life.

It's what they told us in the enrollment process. They said that it would go by so fast, so enjoy it while you can. They told us this, not realizing that they had already set us up for failure.

In the midst of what feels like an unending season of rejection, someone told me that they peaked in college. As someone who is about to graduate, this is not at all reassuring. Yes, college has been great, but is this it? Don't get me wrong, I have made great memories that will surely last a lifetime, but this cannot be the end for me. It cannot be the end for any of you.

We've only just begun.

Think about the future that lies ahead. For some of us, it's still a little blurry. It will be blurry for awhile and we'll constantly feel like we have to take that leap of faith, but it's a process of learning and growing. It's a process of discovering who you are again. Discovering where you fit into the world. There will be seasons of rejection, but there will also be seasons of flourishing. It will amaze you to learn that you are able to do so much more than you ever thought possible.

Thus far, college has tested and stretched our limits. We've pushed ourselves and spread ourselves too thin at times. We know how many hours of sleep we need to function properly, but we also know what it feels like to function after an all-nighter. We know the effects of too much caffeine in our system and we know how to skate by on whatever is left in our bank account after a week of bills and payments. In college, we've learned a lot, but I refuse to accept that I peaked in these years in college.

I refuse to accept that my future will never measure up to the three and half years that I spent writing essays, attending classes and making memories. There will be many more memories to make with my family and friends in the future. There will be career opportunities to chase and adventures to be had. You'll have stories from college to take with you on your journey. Saying that you have a bright future ahead of you does not mean these years in college did not matter, it just means that your life is not over.

Be excited about what's to come. You may make mistakes, but you will accomplish great things. I'm sure like most other aspects of life, it will take learning and adjusting, and it will be worth it.

As I open up the next chapter of my story, I am reminded of the wise words from a former professor. Professor Barry Regan told our class this: "When you graduate high school, you think you know everything. When you graduate college, you realize you don't know much at all. Life after college is about realizing that's okay, and letting your passions be the driving force, not your insecurities."

So friends, what are you passionate about? What will the next chapter bring?

Live with great expectations for the future.