It is, once again, the season of college applications and entrance exams. Thousands of students have prepared and submitted their requirements to colleges and universities. Graduating senior high school students must now be checking to see which course programs suit them the most and which of the colleges and/or universities they are looking into offer these courses. Parents are just as nervous to see where their child will end up. After all, education is one of the most important investments a person can make.
I was in the very same position three years ago.
Indecisive by nature, I was at that time in my life when I did not know where to go and how to go there. I had, at least I think I did, direction (of some sort). It is quite hard to narrow down your choices when you are interested in a little bit of everything. Perhaps my parents being lenient to which university I chose to go to and what course program I chose to study did not help at all – everything was in my hands. I remember thinking: “Sixteen-year-olds should not be given this responsibility!”
During our Senior Year Peace Retreat, my peers and I were in tears while discussing everything that lies ahead. We were to go to different colleges and universities, have new groups of friends, and have less time to hang out and talk to each other. Leaving our comfort zones has never been easy, especially when you realize that you are leaving people whom you have bonded with for years – you knew each other best, you were each other’s safe place. But alas, we can never grow in places where we do not get challenged.
Two years ago, I cried about the college entrance exam results.
The fact that I had to choose where I was going to start building my future scared me. Later on, I cried about not knowing whether or not I should continue studying the course program I initially enrolled in. Is this really for me? Why do my classes no longer interest me? Am I in the right school? How come I feel as though I am missing out on something? Does my course program dictate what I will do for the rest of my life? I did not know what to do or where to go. Nothing seemed to favor me, but then life never gives you what you want or need in a golden platter.
Now that I am halfway through my college career, I again find myself thinking if I am doing things right and if I am on the right path. Is there really a right path, though? No one really has anything figured out. Being lost is okay, the journey to finding yourself is never really easy. There can be so much at stake, but what is worse than making the wrong decision is not trying.
So try. If you fail, try again. And if you suddenly change your mind, it’s okay. Nothing in this world is permanent anyway.
