As the routine of spring semester sets in and the days grow longer, the panic starts to spew in many seniors about their post-graduation plans. We’ve become accustomed to answering the questions from our friends and acquaintances about what we’re doing after college, and I know that at least for me, that vague answer has become my way of thinking about the subject and avoiding a legitimate plan. The imminent day of graduation indicates the start of one of the biggest changes in our lives, and that can stir uncomfortable emotions. Why is that? If uncertainty can bring about good things, why are we so hesitant to accept what we may be led to?
Up until this point, most of our lives have been structured to fostering a “follow along” attitude, often plaguing our ability to practice self-reflection and dreaming about what we want. We graduated high school and decided on attending this institution, leaving our friends and family from our pre-existing lives behind, and made it out okay. In a few short months, we will be without the structured routine of pursuing a four-year degree and will be able to decide where and how to utilize the talents we’ve acquired.
Life doesn’t become a bump-less, straight path after you are handed your diploma and land a job with your first earned salary. This uncertain feeling will become a routine. Your jobs, your relationships, and everything you know about your life right now will change every day – and that’s a promise.
I would like to challenge seniors, like me, who are lost and uncertain of the future to spend a few moments thinking without limits about your potential for next year. With how you’ve changed and how you define yourself now, what will bring you the most happiness? Embrace the uncertainty of now, and let it lead you to where you are going and who you want to be next. Although panic and frustration is a natural part of this process and a positive indication that you care about where you’re headed in the future, I believe that it doesn’t have to be this hard. With a more critical look at ourselves through self-reflection paired with realistic goal setting, our answers of what we really want and what energizes us will come to a forefront naturally. As said in the words of our own President Craft at Convocation this fall, “Invest in your life enough to let it unfold”. Think about who you are, what will make you happy, and go for it. It will be the best decision you ever made.
This article was submitted by Lindsay Jacobs, contributing writer.
