From conversations with my family, teachers, and others I talked to about my future plans, one piece of advice was consistent. In college, you have a fresh start to be whoever you want to be. I think when people give this piece of advice, the intent is clearly to suggest that you are not defined by your high school experiences. You are not defined by that game-winning shot or that very public situationship. In college, you can be whoever you want to be.
When I accepted my offer from Stevens, the first thing I heard from all of my relatives was, “I’m so excited for you to have a fresh start”. Despite having spent the majority of my life in a small town in Pennsylvania, going to school in the largest metropolitan area in the country didn’t seem like a fresh start — I brushed it off the first few times. I kept hearing this advice everywhere I went, until one day someone said to me, “You need this fresh start. Consider this the time for a new Jack.” Now this got me thinking, why did I need a do-over?
Over the previous four years, I had become a person I was relatively happy with. I had collected an array of hobbies and skills. I have gone through different friendships and relationships and come out a semi-complete person. Yes, there was still clearly a lot of room to grow and improve, but I was content with who I was come graduation.
“New Jack,” it stuck with me. Why would I need an all-new me? After some contemplation over the summer, I finally rationalized this piece of advice. Trying to become a whole new Jack would essentially be reinventing the wheel — an egotistical conclusion, I know, but stay with me here.
When you go off to college, yes, you can become a completely new person. You can change your style, interests, and habits because there is no prior expectation of you. You are not bound by anything you have ever done, whether that be a messy breakup or a state championship. To each other, we are all blank slates, but not to ourselves. Individually, we all have our own memories. We have lived the last four years of our lives growing and changing — experiencing triumph and heartbreak, fulfilling lifelong dreams, keeping promises, and making new ones.
So why—after everything that I have gone through, the people I’ve lost, the moments of beauty that were experienced, and every single conversation that has made me who I am— why would I throw that all away for the sake of a fresh start?
Instead, I take what I have gained and use that as my starting point. Instead of becoming a “new Jack”, I’ll become Jack+. Take everything from the last four years that caused strife or pain and rethink it. Reflect on what flaws exist within and use the mistakes of the past as motivation.
So, as the Class of 2029 begins college, I urge any who are reading to not become an entirely different person just because you were told this is a place of new beginnings. Instead, take time to reflect on where you came from and use it to seek improvement. Become a more complete person without losing your identity. Thank you.
