Your first semester in college starts, you start making friends in your department, and before you know it, you’re anxious whether the major you’ve picked is something you were genuinely passionate about, or whether going out to party after the first week is a good idea. For once in your life, you’re out of high school, far from the old you, and ready to start fresh. This idea terrifies you to the bone.
You’re also uncertain whether the old you was a better version of yourself. The student who got straight A’s and a 90% score in board examinations, school captain, volunteer in NGO, helper of the aged, and did everything to stay busy and put up a mask that you are productive and happy. You wonder whether that person was you at your maximum potential and now you have fallen off the wagon and downgraded.
But let me tell you something here.
You’re wrong.
You’re really wrong.
That older version of yourself? That high school fellow who used to pop out rainbows and is picture perfect at everything? First, let’s scrap that. You know what I’ll say to you, I dare you to fail. Be a failure, dive into trouble a few times, and admit that you make mistakes. Step down from the high unreal life and challenge yourself with new experiences that are uncomfortable, scary and uncertain. Because uncertainty will keep you grounded. You still don’t know who you are and you even can determine who you truly want to be.
Be uncertain about who you are. Do not trap yourself in the profile you made on Facebook or say it’s carved in stones so you cannot change. College is where you should be uncertain. Doubt who you are, and you’ll discover more about yourself. Now, you’re in college, surrounded by 10 cups of coffee, late nights, deadlines, midterms, group projects, fake friends, friends, rejections, success, failure, happiness and you know what, this is the best time to be unsure.
Because only when you are uncertain, you will find the motivation to figure out who you really are. And it’s a goal worth pursuing with heart.
