9 years since college
Two days ago, I was wondering why somehow I felt like that date was important. At first I thought it might be my anniversary at work but my friend said it was a week before because we started on the same day. So as I was pondering why that date seem important to me, I suddenly realized that it was the day of our graduation from university all those years ago. Nine years to be exact. It dawned on me that nine years after graduation so many things have happened more than what I could ever have envisioned or imagined.
Back track to the summer before college. I was pretty anxious in moving out of the house, living away from family for the first time ever and away from most of my friends from highschool. But I was fortunate enough that I had two close friends that studied in the same university and one of them became my room mate for all those years that we were studying. My mom gave me a book for my highschool graduation about starting a new life in college. I devoured that book and imagined if I'll also have those stories that I read about. My dad accompanied me one day before starting classes and as we sat there in the cafeteria, I couldn't help but cry. I must have looked like a drama queen crying in a public place like that but I can't just process all those feelings that were overwhelming me at that time. Excitement or fear of the unknown, who knows? My dad sat silently as I continue to sob and eat my sandwich. He didn't say anything or even offer me any advice. I was wondering about this but sometime ago I asked him about that incident, if he still remembered it. He said he did and I asked him why he didn't say anything. He said that he was just as mixed up as I was. Awww. Anyways, after that incident, I've decided to face this new life of mine as an adventure. Meet new friends, learn a lot of new things, become independent and responsible.
Nine years since college and today I am still learning. Real life is like college. While there are no grades, or teachers or a defined curriculum to go by, success has become the grade in which you are being measured, teachers have become bosses or clients that you need to impress and the defined curriculum is the big life decisions you make that impact your life.
Nine years since college and I've seen places that I've only watched in movies before. I've also had a lot of problem solving to do but it's not written on paper and submitted after the time's up. I've had my beliefs challenged and strengthened as a result. I've made life long friends with people that were on the same journey as me during that time of our lives. I've lived microlives in different places and settings that are more realistic than the ones we portray in a college drama play.
College has taught me a lot about life. It's like a microcosm of reality and it prepared me for the bigger challenges that lay ahead. It has molded my thinking, defined my beliefs, taught me to love fiercely. But best of all, that time helped me to know myself and accept me for who I am with my strengths and weaknesses.
Back track to the summer before college. I was pretty anxious in moving out of the house, living away from family for the first time ever and away from most of my friends from highschool. But I was fortunate enough that I had two close friends that studied in the same university and one of them became my room mate for all those years that we were studying. My mom gave me a book for my highschool graduation about starting a new life in college. I devoured that book and imagined if I'll also have those stories that I read about. My dad accompanied me one day before starting classes and as we sat there in the cafeteria, I couldn't help but cry. I must have looked like a drama queen crying in a public place like that but I can't just process all those feelings that were overwhelming me at that time. Excitement or fear of the unknown, who knows? My dad sat silently as I continue to sob and eat my sandwich. He didn't say anything or even offer me any advice. I was wondering about this but sometime ago I asked him about that incident, if he still remembered it. He said he did and I asked him why he didn't say anything. He said that he was just as mixed up as I was. Awww. Anyways, after that incident, I've decided to face this new life of mine as an adventure. Meet new friends, learn a lot of new things, become independent and responsible.
Nine years since college and today I am still learning. Real life is like college. While there are no grades, or teachers or a defined curriculum to go by, success has become the grade in which you are being measured, teachers have become bosses or clients that you need to impress and the defined curriculum is the big life decisions you make that impact your life.
Nine years since college and I've seen places that I've only watched in movies before. I've also had a lot of problem solving to do but it's not written on paper and submitted after the time's up. I've had my beliefs challenged and strengthened as a result. I've made life long friends with people that were on the same journey as me during that time of our lives. I've lived microlives in different places and settings that are more realistic than the ones we portray in a college drama play.
College has taught me a lot about life. It's like a microcosm of reality and it prepared me for the bigger challenges that lay ahead. It has molded my thinking, defined my beliefs, taught me to love fiercely. But best of all, that time helped me to know myself and accept me for who I am with my strengths and weaknesses.
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