I will be moving to my dorms for my first year of college in a few days, and after doing a summer engineering program, I received some very profound advice:
“Your days are long, but your years are short.”
Most everyone who I talked to who has already experienced college concurs with this piece of knowledge entirely. I can understand why college can be an incredible time for almost everyone. It’s a time of freedom and a long-awaited leap into independence.
I am optimistic, and because of that, I want to make as much use of college as I can. Of course, it is impossible to do everything, but isn’t that college? A time of exploration? A time where we can do something that we want to do, whether its play volleyball, get a bite to eat with friends, or engage in some intellectual pursuit? A time where we can be free to roam around not only the campus and the surrounding area? Where we explore the farthest reaches of our minds to know who we are? And I believe that’s what the philosophy entails. In the flurry of so many things that go on in the day to day agenda of college, the days feel longer in our exploration. In turn, the years turn into a blink of an eye because we become engrossed in the long and very exciting road.
I also embrace another philosophy, “Set no path, never lose your way.” It is true that too much of a good thing can become bad. Whether it is being stuck with academics, or hanging out in the social scene when other priorities are being postponed, diversity is key. I believe the newly found independence is about that ideal balance found within one’s inner being that keeps them satisfied with whatever they are doing. I also affirm that college entails finding a niche that feels good for a while and then venturing off to somewhere new. A place to explore new opportunities outside of the proverbial box and feel like a beginner all over again. Amidst the emotion, I think it is imperative to step back and reflect once in awhile on the thrills of everyday experiences. I firmly believe it makes you feel at peace with yourself knowing that this is exactly where you belong. Sometimes it does get stressful, and yes, overloading yourself is an emotional challenge as well. However, again, college is all about finding a balance where we feel real with ourselves.
In short, my expectations for college, I believe, aren’t too far fetched, and I want to experience as much as I can. I hope my days are long. So, with this advice in hand, it is time to begin a new step into the great unknown for a new adventure.
