a college senior reflection.....

I attended some friends' graduation the other night, and it got me to thinking about how I felt when I graduated and where I'm at 3 years later and almost a college grad. Listening to the student speakers and others, I reflected upon my own experiences in high school and college and tried to compare their experience with mine. Unfortunately, however, it really isn't possible to compare different people with different lives because we all have unique personalities that lead us down different paths, sometimes very polar opposite ones. While I was reflecting on my experience while trying to celebrate those of my close friends, I realized that mine has been maybe not as glamorous as I thought it would be. Our high school didn't nearly have as much success or involvement in activities and events. I feel like my friends were much better prepared for college, for the outside world, for life. I also feel like my 3 years at college could have been better, especially this year up at the main campus. Listen, we all have regrets and hindsight is most certainly 20/20, but what have I learned from all of this is the following. Maybe not to take myself too seriously. Maybe to go after what I want regardless of what anyone else thinks. I need to find that drive, that motivation, to propel me into realms of possibilities that I know are achievable but for whatever reason I haven't. My dad told me a quote I won't ever forget one night. He said that I know what I want, and I know how to get what I want, but I just don't have the 'want'. Find it. If I've learned anything from my friends and family its that you should try to live life to the fullest. We all just get one chance on this planet so make it count. Sure, you will make mistakes. Sure, you will have to explore outside of your comfort zone. But that is what makes it all worth it. That's how you make friends for life. It's how you become part of groups you never thought you would. It's how you live the dream. Don't be fearful of the future and the unknown, but attack it head-on. Who cares if you fall flat on your face? You won't be the first OR last. My college advice to graduates is simple. These are the 4 years of your life that are yours and yours only. Make them the best of your life, but most importantly and above all, make these 4 years YOURS. Talk to that random girl in class. Go out for lunch with friends. Study hard and party hard. Just make sure that what your doing is what YOU want to do. Be adventurous, be studious, be curious, be crazy, be yourself but explore outside yourself. Keep a routine but try different things. Make sure your best friends now are still your best friends then, but make totally new best friends. Mature but don't take yourself too seriously. These 4 years are yours and yours alone. Only you can define how they turn out. Take the initiative and tackle college head-on, and you will find out that it will impact your life in amazing ways. Do it your way. What they say is true, these are the best years of your life for the simple fact that they are just that: YOUR years. Enjoy.