Looking upon the new year I began reflecting on my life. An old friend told me that "I am different" and it made me wonder. Is the fact that I am different bad? Does it mean that I am simply growing up, and thus changing? It came up in conversation that I graduated high school two years ago this June. I look at photos on my wall, in frames, and on social media. I see this person, that sometimes I do not recognize. The hair is partly at fault, but high school I realized, is a vortex. In the sense that, you are put in this indefinite hold for four to six years of your life. Occurrences that are unimportant, seem so life altering at the time. The people who you call friends, become your life those years. What happens when you grow up, and realize what you thought was definite, is actually infinite?

To anyone who doubts that college will change you, spend a year in college. Regardless if you dorm or commute, time in college will have an impact on you. I do believe you change due to the wealth of knowledge you are taught. Depending on your major, you will take an array of different topics. I never thought in a million years that I would not only be interested in but enjoy theology and philosophy. My government classes challenged me tremendously. The people you meet also help transition your growth. There is no pressure to keep friendships in college, the likelihood of having the same person in two classes is small. Those you choice to become friends with really must have made an impact on you.

Goals, they are right in your reach. In high school, your goal is to work towards getting into a college. In college, you are there, you have to work to stay there. But, you are working towards the goal of your career. This is the time where you will most likely work odd part-time jobs. You will apply and have internships in the field you will eventually work in. This is the time where you are finding yourself. To the comment "You're different", my response is Thank You. The notion that you have changed since high school is important. This is the time in our lives to experiment with who we want to become. Keep aiming for your growth, be the person where every new year you look back and can see your growth. Different is a good thing.