As you merge off the exit from the interstate into your hometown, all five senses are in high activation. You smile looking at the scenery, smelling the air, the foods and passing by your favorite local spots that you have way too many memories in.
However, something is not the same. You have officially finished your first year of college.
You’ve just experienced one of the most life changing experiences, meeting people from all walks of life, adulting for the first time, trying to manage four clubs at once while maintaining a 4.0 and the worst part…being college broke (because just saying broke isn’t enough).
You’ve made a group of amazing friends at college and they’re all in the group chat discussing their internships at the law firm, creating a website and even having the opportunity to study abroad in Italy for the summer…Then there’s you.
While you did well maintaining a 3.0 for both semesters and joining a couple clubs, you really didn’t have many plans for the summer that relate to your career goals compared to your peers.
You’re going home to work at the job you’re not too fond of from your high school days and maybe you’re not too sure of the road that’s ahead for you, not only just this summer, but for the next three years.
You want to know the best part about that? It’s okay and here’s why.
Before you decide to sit surrounded by your luggage and items you bought for your dorm that you never used and super upset you had to lug back home, clean your space.
This is the best way to clear your mind and make you feel that you’re back in your home officially for longer than a two-week break. Hang your clothes back up, fix your bed and organize any supplies you have left from the school year.
Next, spend time with old friends and family. Go to your favorite restaurant since you were younger, spend time with your grandparents and just reminisce about old memories with your friends.
These talks will put things into perspective and help you realize how far you’ve come.
Most importantly, pat yourself on the back. While getting that 4.0, managing to get the body of your dreams or maybe finding the love of your life your first year are all the things we see in the movies about what it means to have the perfect freshman year, it’s very rare that all, if any, happen.
However, you should be proud that you took the step to nourish your dreams for your future, and actually made it out alive and partly sane. Know that with college stress, gaining weight, being homesick and just not believing in yourself are all very real symptoms of being in college.
The fact you could have made it through one or all of those things means you have true grit.
After you take time to reflect, it’s time to plan one goal you have for yourself this summer. Whether it be exploring careers, losing weight, growing spiritually, saving money or honestly getting eight hours of sleep, do something that your future self will be proud of in August. Even if your goal is just to relax, do it and do your best.
Don’t get me wrong, this summer doesn’t have to be about making yourself appear like you have it all together. It’s about knowing that you have reflected on where you need to grow and knowing even if you take one baby step towards bettering yourself, you’re already getting closer to where you want to be.
Don’t let pictures on Instagram of people from college traveling around the world, your best friend talking about all the networking they’ve done and another friend losing 30 pounds in six weeks discourage you.
Be happy for them and, most importantly, be happy for yourself. As you go through this journey, remember this quote from former President Obama: “If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.”