The start of a new school year is hard. It is not hard in the way that classes are strenuous, assignments are brutal or the balance between school and life is impossible. It is hard in the way that we, as students, almost forget what it is like to practice our core values when a new year develops. 

I struggled with this in the beginning of my college career, as I did not know the importance of being myself without allowing other opinions to change my outlook on how to be a student. There are several different ways that people sort through their college experience, and mine happens to be different from a lot of people. However, everybody’s way is the right way for them. We learn in different ways. 

Coming to college offers freedom, which many students have never experienced to the extent that college provides. Though freedom is an excellent way to recognize your true identity, finding people that you would have never known otherwise and gaining an infinite amount of self-discipline are things that are often placed on a backburner. Due to the fact that freedom is not a linear process like I laid out, people get wrapped up in an overwhelming sense of “FOMO.” 

“FOMO” is the fear of missing out, for those who are unaware. Because freedom is one of the most universally craved feelings, it feels impossible to do what it is expected of you rather than what you expect for yourself. College is known for building relationships, having fun before your real life begins and gaining knowledge for your future career. Nonetheless, lines become blurry as months pass. 

I would be lying if I said I did not feel an insatiable need to excel tremendously from an academic standpoint every day. Instead of focusing on personal relationships, friendships and activities, I focus on my GPA and schoolwork. Though this sounds like a good thing, it can become upsetting when you are a senior — like me — and realize you have not met a lot of the social requirements of a college experience. 

What I rebut this thought with is the ideology of remaining humble. There are too many expectations on students, either by themselves or others, to live the way that society wants them to live. I pressure myself into being the best student that I can because I want to have a good future. Other people want the same good future that I want, but they find that future through different avenues. 

I do not wish that I did anything differently within my college experience, and I most certainly have no regrets. I hope that nobody else regrets their experience either, as this life is the only life you will ever have to appreciate your ability to get a degree in your passion. Whether you just passed by the skin of your teeth, passed with a school-life balance or were the top of your class, your experience will be the most memorable to you because you did it. 

As I begin my senior year as the managing editor of The Slate, I reminisce on my freshman self — a Ship Start student, may I add — who was terrified to branch out and be confident. Instead of building relationships, I built my bookshelf. I have still made plenty of friends, deepened my passion for writing and found opportunities I never thought I would, but it would not have happened without remaining humble. 

You do not need to live the same life as everybody else. Think about your passions. Think about your future. Think about what you most need right in this moment, and do not think about anything else. Your future will come to you in the way that it is supposed to, so let go of the idea that you have control over what will be. I promise you, you do not. 

Be uniquely yourself and appreciate those who are uniquely themselves. Being humble is hard, but so is fitting in. Ship happens, so you might as well enjoy this experience in the way that fits you most. 

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