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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR How to make 2020 your year Rita Albert • Editor-in-Chief
We’ve been waiting so long to reach turning points in our lives, from getting to high school to driving to voting. Even as we yearn for independence, we are so used to depending on our parents. Now, as graduation looms before us, we are going to be adults and the decisions belong solely to us.
College is our first step into adulthood, and we are going to be accountable for every decision we make. While there can be pressure to please the ones that you love, it is important to choose the best option for yourself when it comes to this four-year decision. Take a step back to see the big picture and realize what is best for you.
With new and great responsibilities approaching, pressure from family and friends can influence you to make a mistake that has a great impact on your future. We all know that parents have our best intentions in mind, but we also must begin to make decisions for ourselves as we leave childhood. There are so many paths that you could take and colleges you could attend; it is important to research which one checks the most boxes for you, whether that be big or small, in-state or out-of-state, specialization in medicine or law. It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want to do.
Those around us are not necessarily trying to pressure us, however, we may feel obligated to choose the path they think is ideal. For example, both of your parents may have attended the same university, but this does not automatically mean that it should be your top pick. Your personality may be different than your dad, for example, who lived for Greek life, but you’re an introvert who doesn’t intend to join a fraternity. Each college will specialize in certain programs of study that may be of interest to you.
Although it may be tempting, don’t follow your friends to college. Being alone in a new place is scary, but being dependent on friends sets you up for possible future problems. It may seem like you will be with these friends forever, but your paths may split along the road. While having friends is important, you are the most important character in your story and taking action for yourself is the key to being self-aware.
It is also okay to take a gap year if you decide you’re not ready. Keep in mind that a gap year could set you back because you lose time and knowledge, making it harder on yourself in the long run. But taking a gap year could give you the time you need to decide what you want to pursue and also save money. Take the time to analyze the pros and cons for your specific situation before jumping into this decision.
You need to set a clear path for what you want to do with your life, whether that includes college or not. Set goals and stick to them, keep up with your responsibilities, meet new people and take control of your life from college on. Truly, where you go for undergraduate school does not matter as much as you think it does. Keep pushing towards the finish line that you see.
