Four years ago, I walked across a stage in a cap and gown and received my high school diploma. I would be attending Samford University to study marketing and accounting. Now, I am graduating in less than two weeks from Arkansas State University with a degree in multimedia journalism. 

A lot has changed for me in the past four years and hardly anything went as planned. 

When I graduated high school, I had a specific idea of what the college experience was supposed to be. You’re supposed to move away from home, go to parties and pick a school and major that you stick with for exactly four years. 

Four years and one college education later, I can now safely say there is no such thing as the “college experience.” 

I started college in 2020 at a school about five hours from home. The campus had a strict COVID-19 policy and being a devout rule follower, I took social distancing and turned it into complete social isolation. 

After one semester, I decided to transfer to A-State so I could live at home, even though doing so did not fit into my idea of the college experience. It was a difficult decision, but now I consider transferring to A-State one of the best decisions I have ever made. 

I went from a child who thought she had it all figured out to an adult who understands life is about constantly figuring things out. 

Maybe you are like me and transferred or changed your major a lot. Maybe you won’t finish college in four years, or you expected it to be like the movies where you go to parties every night and class is a second thought. Maybe you just feel like something isn’t right. 

Whatever the case may be, I want to give some advice based on what I learned through my unconventional college experience. 

First, don’t compare yourself to others. College is a place where people from all different backgrounds and stages of life converge, so it’s OK if you aren’t on the same path as someone else. 

Second, don’t be afraid to change your mind. I chose the wrong school and major at first, but because of that, I am now confident I am in the right place. 

Finally, you don’t have to have the “college experience,” but you should enjoy it. I honestly hated college until I started getting involved in organizations (like The Herald) and making friendships that would last a lifetime. Do whatever you need to do to make these years fun and memorable. 

I am so grateful for the ups and downs I have experienced. I often wish I could go back in time and tell my 18-year-old self  “You will make it! It will be terrifying, but then it will be overwhelmingly joyful!” Since I can’t, I am telling you, dear reader, instead. 

I have learned so much in college. I have learned the kind of stuff you see on a test, but I have also learned so much from the people around me and so much about myself. 

I used to be so afraid; I was so shy and insecure. But now, because of all the trials, all the mistakes and all the lessons learned, it’s not so scary anymore. 

As one of my professors, Dr. Sitton, says, “Be good and be good at it. Wolves Up!” 

Categories: Opinion

Tags: Opinion