As I’m writing this post, Mississippi State University started school this past Wednesday, the 21st. I didn’t really think much of it on that day, how there were thousands upon thousands of students trying to find unfamiliar classrooms that (if you actually go to class) will become so familiar you don’t even think twice about what room you’re going into those mornings. There’s Freshmen that are nervous for their first day of class, wondering if they’ll make friends in that Spanish or Math class. There’s Sophomores who have hopefully gotten into the routine of what being a college student entails and have some sense of time management. There’s Juniors thinking that one year from now that this will be their last first day of school. And if you are on track with your degree, you’ll be starting some core classes that actually relate to your major. Then there’s the Seniors. This is the last fall semester that you will ever experience as an undergraduate. You are two semesters away from walking across the stage at graduation. You can feel the excitement and terror of what life will be like after graduation. Where will you be a year from today? If you were anything like me, you’ll have no idea in that moment.
It’s hard to believe that this was me a year ago. I’m no longer a college student, and that’s really strange to me. This year is the first time in all my years that I don’t have to go to school. I’m not a student anymore. I’m an adult who has to make their place in the world and get a job and start putting money towards my 401k and start thinking of the future. It’s weird to think that this is the first time in four years that I’m not in Starkville, MS, working towards my degree. It’s crazy that I’m a “has been” now and that Starkville isn’t my second home.
Even though school can be a pain sometimes, I always enjoyed the learning process and learning new things and making good grades. I never want to stop learning, even though I’m not in school anymore. I don’t have my life figured out yet, but I’m eager to start living and working towards the life of my dreams. I appreciate all that college taught me and it really helped me grow as a person these past four years, but now it’s time to move on. Now it’s time to move onto my next adventure. And even though it’s terrifying that I won’t know where I will be this time next year, I’m determined to make it great.
If anyone is reading this in college right now, appreciate all the little moments that you have at school. Don’t take your education for granted. Don’t take that time for granted. It is such an honor to be able to go to school, and I’m grateful for the experience and education that I received. There are people out there who don’t get that opportunity. And if anyone is reading this that didn’t go to college, please know that I don’t think anything less of you. College is not a one size fits all. It’s like everyone has this expectation that college is everything and you are a failure if you don’t want to go. I wanted to go because I wanted to learn, and it was just the natural next step to take for me. But I hope you know that if you didn’t go because you didn’t want to go, that that decision was totally right for you. I know plenty of people, including my Mom, that didn’t go to college and still succeeded at life. You can still create an amazing life if you work hard enough and I truly believe you don’t need a degree in order to do that. Wherever you are though, I hope you are living and working towards the life of your dreams because we only have one shot of making it great!