College is marketed as some magical experience where an individual can find his or herself for the price of state tuition. When I was left stranded by my family on move-in day in 2010, I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. My anxiety attacked my innards while I lollygagged around my dorm room in search of my next step. There was no telling as to what was going to happen when I made my first effort to venture beyond my door in Justice Hall, but it marked the beginning of an adventure that I am eternally grateful for.
1. Family Is About Love, Not blood
We don’t need to extract blood samples from the student population and run tests to determine that we weren’t manufactured in the same womb. However, I’ve learned over the years that blood relation is not a mandatory component of what constitutes a family. The people I’ve befriended at this university are not friends: they’re family. Many of your friends in high school might have served as human placebos to power you through each miserable day until graduation occurred. College friends, on the other hand, have made their case as to why they’re important until your dying day. The friends I’ve made here at this university are essential to my well-being and happiness as we continue our journey through life. I want them to be there for my wedding, when I bring my own children into the world, and to continue what we’ve started here at Appalachian State University. I am not going to list who these people are, but I can’t thank them enough for their influence. I love them dearly and I hope that our friendships will continue to strengthen as we journey onward.
2. Embrace Who You Were, Who You Are, and Who You Will Become
Puberty, for most people, has its unfortunate shortcomings. I discovered throughout middle school and high school that I had disadvantages for days due to this diabolical teenage nightmare. I did, however, learn about the various ways in which people change over time. Thankfully, I am no longer the man I was freshman year. I began college as a 19 year-old man-child that served no purpose other than occupying space on campus and drinking the massive supply of Dr. Pepper. Time proved to be crucial as it fleshed out my character over the course of 4 years and helped me determine where I fit in this world. Just like you, I am not done changing, and attending college has provided me the necessary tools to construct who I was, who I am, and who I will become. There’s nothing more exciting than thinking about your future self and the path you may take to get there. Despite inevitable shortcomings, embrace them for shaping your character and accept change.
3. Let Things Happen When They’re Supposed To
One of my favorite stories to hear about is how my parents met. They met with only two weeks to spare before their graduation. My father was a bouncer at a nightclub and my mother was a patron seeking entry. They got engaged a couple of weeks later and now they’re in their 35th year of matrimony. Knowing their story, I had the thought of finding true love while in college etched into my psychology from day one. I made the mistake of believing that I would and should find my beloved future wife during my 4 years. Through a rigorous trial-and-error dating process over the years, I’ve negated that very goal in favor of just letting things happen when they’re supposed to. I may not strike gold until I’m in my 50’s at some swing dancing convention, but I can’t force love to happen upon myself.
4. Count Your Blessings
How many times have you encountered the stress of an onslaught of assignments that are due the next day, or an unnecessary argument with your friend that escalated into a bloody scuffle? Consistent with life being an imperfection, college is adept at presenting unwelcome obstacles to ensure the onset of a mental breakdown at a moment’s notice. These don’t sound much like blessings, do they? Now, it’s easy to think about the negatives, but what positives have you experienced during your time in college? You’ve acquired a good education, made lifelong friends, and discovered passions that you wish to explore for the rest of your life among other things. There are millions of people out there who are unable to take advantage of this opportunity that we’ve been blessed to experience. No matter what you set out to do, take advantage of what you’ve been blessed with and make the most of it.
5. I Have No Idea Where I’m Going, and That’s Okay
Back in the glorious days of freshman year, you might have figured that the college degree you’re sure to acquire would land you a job that’s at least a few steps above prostitution. Fast forward four or more years later and you’re a mere month away from graduating and have no job lined up. If this is your predicament, congratulations, we share common ground along with an endless list of college graduates. Before you scavenge the country looking for an unoccupied bridge to live under, acknowledge the beauty that is uncertainty. You were uncertain as to what would happen when you came to this campus as well as the journey you were about to go on. Our failing economy may seem villainous, but I wouldn’t succumb to its dastardly influence just because you haven’t secured your dream job yet. Take this obstacle as a challenge that you’ll willingly greet each day, setting goals for yourself and working hard to accomplish them. Meet some good people along way, try new things, and make your life what you want it to be. Accept uncertainty.
Whether you’re graduating or not, I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.
My Seven Devils 