When I look back to before I started my first year of college, I see a very different person from who I am today. Before I attended St. John’s, there were definitely parts of me that exist today, but they weren’t as developed as they are now. For instance, I’ve always been studious and had many hobbies that I enjoyed, but I didn’t see how they all connected to me as a person.
When I started college, I was way more timid. I was unsure of who I truly was and who I wanted to become. I had some interests, but I wasn’t sure how to gain a deeper love for them. I was a psychology major, feeling that it would help me in any career I decided to pursue, not fully sure which path I would take. I already knew I loved psychology and had always loved classes like English, but these were all random interests and I wasn’t sure how they connected to the bigger picture. Luckily, I had plenty of required classes that helped me develop who I am as a person.
In the Spring semester, I took a philosophy class that really got me to develop a deep love of the subject, something that high school me never would have expected. I ended up taking more classes with the professor, who encouraged me to explore the subject further. I eventually ended up declaring a philosophy minor last semester. His classes really opened up my mind to a new way of thinking that carried over into many different aspects of my life.
With the freedom in college to explore my interests, I was able to further develop my hobbies and turn them into a huge part of my identity. I suddenly had the time to read more books and write, and I haven’t stopped since. Looking back, I can definitely see the progress I’ve made in my achievements.
While growing in academic areas of my life, I was also able to grow in other ways. As I slowly started finding myself, I was also able to develop a unique sense of style that made me feel empowered. With that newfound confidence, I was able to attract people who I felt comfortable with. It felt great to be included in groups where I truly felt I belonged.
With all my areas of my life changing for the better, I was able to continue discovering myself and finding more things I enjoyed. I also got much better at time management, allowing me to accomplish just about everything I wanted.
Setting goals is another thing I really enjoy now, and I made it this year’s mission to get out and explore more, a goal we can all benefit from. I feel that, from this, I really got to open my eyes and see more of the world, being able to learn more about others in the process.
I feel that the best part about finding all these things that make me unique is that this sense of self only grows stronger as time goes on. I get to explore my interests more and develop my skills in ways that high school me never would have imagined. College is truly a place where your best self is born and nurtured. You develop a mindset that you will carry throughout your whole entire life, allowing you to constantly better yourself and bring out who you truly are. The journey of self-discovery is never-ending, which is what makes it so exciting.
No matter where you are in life, your journey of self-discovery awaits. It’s a very exciting journey; something you will be able to undertake forever. If this seems daunting to some, don’t worry. You have your whole life to work on it, and it gets even more exciting as life goes on.
In writing this, my biggest hope is that it resonates with someone, especially someone trying to find themselves. Never be shy to try new things and meet new people. Although self-discovery is a personal journey, it’s extremely important to find people who encourage you and bring out the best in you. And always remember the most important thing: to have fun while doing it!