As the end of the year approaches, many take time in between the stresses of finals to reflect upon their year, and try to figure out what went right and what went wrong. As I look back on my four years, I am glad that I took advantage of every bone I was thrown and every opportunity I was given, regardless of when or what it was. I’d argue that the collegiate experience is necessitated by stepping out of one’s comfort zone and pursuing new opportunities, even if they appear at inconvenient times. For me, this meant studying abroad in my senior year, but for you, it might mean a million and one things that push you out of your comfort zone, allowing you to develop skills and remove barriers to your success.
The undergraduate years of college are unique in life. You are an adult, living away from your parents and often doing other adult things like working and filing taxes. But at the same time, there is an amount of freedom and liberty that you have, where you are not tied down to one particular box or set of activities to do. What this means is that it’s one of the few times in your life you will have the opportunity to try out new things and go on spontaneous adventures. Little is holding you back, and you have the resources of adulthood behind you to make them happen.
In my case, living abroad in a new city has always been a dream of mine—a place where I can be truly independent and spontaneous while developing important skills and connections. To make this happen, I had to invest time and energy to remove the barriers and obstacles that were preventing me from going on this adventure. This ranged from numerous phone calls with my parents, to countless meetings with my four-year and study abroad advisors, to seeking advice from friends on campus. And yes, this was all energy-draining and anxiety-producing, involving countless tears and emotional conversations. I felt as if I was actively playing with fire throughout the entire process.
But even so, the time and energy spent to get to the point of stepping out of one’s comfort zone is not only rewarding, but also a key part of the college experience. After all, it is the only time in life when this type of action is encouraged, and you will have support to make it happen. Taking a risk and trying something new, from a new major to, in my case, a new country with a new language, takes guts, skill and emotional intelligence that is impossible to gather outside of this environment. These skills that I have gained are critical to succeeding both in the modern world and for getting the most out of your undergraduate experience.
Taking such a leap of faith is not only great for acquiring these necessary life skills, but also for increasing your confidence. I know my experience abroad has turned me into a more confident and resilient person, much like how many other large leaps of faith have helped my friends and peers strengthen their character and ability to function in the modern world.
What this means is that taking advantage of opportunities might come at the “right” time, but also opportunities for change and growth may come at inconvenient, and often counterproductive, times. But it is in this challenge where the beauty of new opportunities make themselves known.
Which gets back into my thesis and call to action. Oftentimes, we can get caught in a groove, in a sense of normalcy, when going through our college lives as if we are working a nine-to-five job. I want you to reject this sense of normalcy, and embrace the unexpected, new and scary.
Run for that executive position you think you are unqualified for. Go study abroad in that foreign country. Change your major the summer before your senior year. Have the experiences you want to have, and chase those that seem to be slipping away from your fingers.
That is how I have been able to get the most out of my four years at this university. If it all fails, hey, at least I have a story. Sometimes, that’s the most beautiful thing in the world.