With graduation just around the corner, I’ve been reflecting on my college experiences lately. Something that I honestly was not expecting to experience was the amount of changes I went through in just these four short years.
When I first entered college, I was a freshman determined to graduate in four years. I had my college years all planned out— I would be a Biology major, live on campus and join clubs to meet new people. However, everything changed during my sophomore year. I took an English class for an elective and fell in love with it, which led me to contemplate changing my major. I couldn’t find any clubs I liked on campus enough, which meant I couldn’t make new friends. Despite all the planning my Virgo brain did during freshman year, it seemed like it was all falling apart.
When I confided about my slump to my therapist, she told me about the importance of embracing change. After all, the only thing one can control is their reaction to situations. With this new knowledge, I decided to view change as something that was not scary, but something that would challenge me instead. I decided to switch my majors from Biology to English and Chemistry, which set back my graduation by a semester or two. I was hesitant to change my major and delay my graduation but looking back, I do not regret it as it has allowed me to deepen my love for both the arts and the sciences, which are equally important to me.
As for my involvement on campus, since I couldn’t find a club that resonated with what I believed in, I decided to start a Her Campus chapter at my school. It was one of the scariest things I’d ever done, as I had to build my team from the ground up. However, the passion and love I poured into the organization has allowed me to grow as a person and a leader. Also, the people I’ve met through my Her Campus chapter have added so much meaning to my life.
Embracing change has truly allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and expect the unexpected. Of course, with the pandemic no one saw coming, it was hard for me to adjust to what was considered the new normal. However, I tried my best to embrace the change to online school while being compassionate to myself. This compassion helped me realize I can allow myself to be upset at the state of the pandemic and take mental health days when necessary. This new relationship with change I’ve defined during the pandemic has allowed me to give myself grace during this tough time while letting change positively affect the way I carry myself moving forward.
Change is scary, but at the end of the day, it’s inevitable. However, viewing change as a challenge while grounding myself has allowed me to grow as a person who is capable of handling almost anything. With this mindset, I am sure I am ready for whatever life has in store for me next.