Four years is a long time. A lot can happen in four years, especially if those four years are in college because college is a very tumultuous chapter in a person’s life. Often students go away to college and have to experience being on their own for the first time. Without Mom and Dad around to make sure they are doing the right thing, it is up to the students to be able to make their own decisions and fend for themselves. After my four years at Boston University, I can honestly say that I have changed and developed into a different individual than when I first arrived as a bushy-tailed, bright-eyed freshman. I will admit I have made some mistakes but I would like to think that I learned from them. However, I’ve also had some great experiences that have given me memories that I will look back on for years to come.
As a Senior, I am expected to give some advice to underclassmen and especially to the incoming freshman class. The only real advice I can come up with is something I only just realized myself but I think is important. Are you ready for this sage-like advice? Here it is:
Don’t be afraid.
Fear is one of the most crippling emotions a person can have. I’m not talking about “you’re walking down the street and a samurai jumps out of an alley and chases after you with his sword and you’re fleeing in terror” afraid. I’m talking about the “doubting one’s self” afraid. For example, you go out to a party and you see someone you find attractive. Don’t be afraid to go over and talk to the person. Strike up a conversation. Or how about you want to audition for one of the shows at BU but you end up not doing it because you are scared. If you consistently let fear take control of your decision making then you are crippling your life. You will constantly walk through your life with “What if?” questions on your mind. What if I had gone and talked to that girl at the party? What if I had tried out for The BosTones? These “What if?” questions are the worst questions to ask oneself because you will never know the answer. You don’t know whether the girl would have dissed you or kissed you. You don’t know whether you would have made The BosTones or not? The only way to know the outcomes of these questions is to actually get up the courage and do it. If you’re nervous about doing it look at the worst-case scenario and you might realize it’s not as bad as constantly living with a “What if?”. You go up to the girl and try to talk to her. Worst-case scenario, you talk to her and she leaves because she’s not interested. While a little embarrassing, it’s not the end of the world and it happens to everybody. Plus now you know the answer to what would have happened. You try out for the school show. Worst-case scenario, you don’t make it into the show. While that might be disheartening, at first at least you know the answer to the question and you can work on getting better or maybe try something else out for an activity.
So I am telling you out there in the blog world don’t be afraid. Talk to the girl at the party. Take that random class that sounds hard. Try out for the BosTones. You never know, the outcome might end up being better than you could have possibly imagined.