College Bound Freshman Finds Strength in Trying Times

College Bound Freshman Finds Strength in Trying Times By Stephanie Suddreth school, despite knowing that this is only the

It goes without saying that this year has calm before the storm. been a wild ride, causing the senior year I’ve always been the type to romanticize the for the class of 2020 to come to a future, and being the very first chapter of screeching halt. Even now, there are so many my adult life, college has been something I unanswered questions about our first year have felt ready to take on, especially over the of college. All current events and world news last couple of years. One of my biggest fears aside, our lives are about to change more has been not being prepared enough, as I’ve than they ever have before. Personally, I have always felt like I was supposed to have all never been more eager to see w hat the the answers even before experiencing future holds, now that college is next on the something, c ollege being the biggest line-up. This entire experience has taught example of this fear. While some of those me the importance of rolling with the feelings still linger, I am growing to learn punches and adapting to my environment, that no one will ever have all of the answers something I’m sure I’ll find useful this first or feel like they know exactly how to handle college semester. I think my generation especially fantasizes about the future, and it’s crazy to try and comprehend that our future is here. Undergoing one of the biggest changes of my life a midst all the circumstances is of course, scary at times. However, I think that’s part of the fun of it. There’s something to be said about the summer before your first year of college, the last moments of your present life before you submerge yourself into a completely new world. I’m sure many of the people in my situation can agree that we already feel like we’ve aged since high

new experiences. Especially now, with all these unanswered questions about what our next semester is going to look like, learning as you go seems to be the way to live life as a college student. All in all, I feel terrified and excited and ready all at the same time. Something we’ve all learned in these past few months is the power of feeling connected to each other; this has helped me to overcome some of my fears of the future. While it’s easy to say that a pandemic is what defines our present, I think the excitement for the future links us all together. I continue to remind myself that the lessons I am learning now are only setting myself up for success in college, and even beyond. I find comfort in the peace within the hectic moments, though there have been many, even in the weeks since I’ve graduated high school. There is still so much I have to learn before leaving for college, but I can’t help but think that all of this has happened for a reason, forcing us all to cherish the tiny moments that have gone unappreciated.

About the Author

Stephanie Suddreth is a 2020 graduate of Bridgeland High School. She plans to study Communications at Texas State University this fall.