In just a few weeks from now, another academic year begins at the University of Illinois. As a Senior, I am excited to experience my last year on campus, and hopefully, make it my best one yet. At the same time, this time of year feels fairly bittersweet. I don’t think I am ready to admit that my college years are almost over. What makes this year even more difficult is the thought of the memories I could’ve made.Â
Looking back, I wish I had done more. I wish I had said yes to every invite, gone to every social event and not let my anxious tendencies consume me. A few years ago, I would have blamed it on being a transfer student. But really, it was me. I was the problem here. I was far too confident in my daily routines, finding comfort in my studio apartment and going home on the weekends. I was simply afraid to say “yes”.Â
Going into my Junior year, I knew I had to make a change. Was it going to be easy? Absolutely not. But I tried, I tried again and I didn’t give up. As much as I wanted to revert to my old ways, I knew that my college years were something that I would never get back. I started putting myself out there more, making new friends and going out on the weekends. Something I would have never done two years ago.
And the best part? I loved every second of it. I loved going to Illinois games, going to the local bars, trying new matcha recommendations, exploring new places on campus, and, above all, this new version of myself. While it wasn’t always easy to say yes, forcing myself to get out of the house and try something new was the best decision I could have ever made for myself. I finally felt like my college experience was truly the best of both worlds: grades I could be proud of and a school I love. By the way, I didn’t find myself going home much after this.
As the fall semester quickly approaches, I couldn’t be more excited to get back to school and do the things that I love, all while making memories that will last a lifetime. This year, I made yet another promise to myself. I said that this would be the year of saying yes. The year that I am not afraid to try something new, something that scares me, or something that I would have never thought I would have done two years ago.Â
My biggest goal for this year? Learn to find comfort in being uncomfortable.