While walking to the park, I passed some girls taking graduation photos. My overly sentimental side kicked in so hard. This girl had the brightest smile, and I couldn’t help but picture myself in her shoes. I may or may not have started looking at graduation dresses shortly after.
My freshman year passed by faster than I could have ever imagined. And while it may not have gone the way I expected, I could not be happier with the ending. Looking back at all my work this semester, I realize how much I’ve grown as a student (I can bullshit a paper in two hours). I’ve always loved school, and although finals did kick my ass a bit, I loved every second of it. I lucked out with every class and every professor (even the one that gave me an A-… I’ll get over it eventually).
Knowing that I only have three years left actually scares me. The truth is that I can’t imagine a life where I am not in school. Even though I plan on attending graduate school, I know it won’t be the same. I feel like these are the years where you can make the most mistakes and get away with it since it’s expected; you’re young, dumb, and just trying to figure life out. Maybe stay away from identity fraud or credit card debt, but aside from that, go crazy.
Although I’ve been met with some criticism for getting a philosophy degree, it sure has its benefits. For some reason, people love telling me all their little theories about the universe. Let me be clear that I love this, and I wish I had these conversations even more frequently. Having these conversations with STEM majors makes it all more interesting since they have unique views about the world (I think they’re all wrong, and I will spend my entire life making everyone a determinist).
Over the past year, I’ve had these incredible conversations with people at Stevens, especially upperclassmen. I’m incredibly grateful for Katie Bloomer; if not for her interest in my writing, I would’ve never landed a spot in this column. It’s pretty fitting that my first (sample) column mentioned her work, and my last thanked her. So thank you, Katie, and everyone else in The Stute, for allowing me to document my mind this semester.
I’ll finish off this column with a short philosophy lesson. In Seneca’s letters, he once stated, “I never came back home with quite the same moral character I went out with; something or other becomes unsettled where I had achieved internal peace, some one or other of the things I had put to flight reappears on the scene.”
Exposure to new situations, people, or events can shift our moral compass; personal growth is not always linear. Setbacks should always be expected. However, our ability to navigate these new heights defines who we are. Our values may change, but it may be for the better. Keeping an open mind towards life will ensure our peace.
And finally, I would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2023. Remember that growth is not linear, and your journey is unique to you. I hope all of you navigate life with the most peace; you deserve it all!
