Every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I find myself reflecting on the year almost behind me.
Day by day, I never really feel as if much is changing. But in the grand scheme of things, I always realize that my life is in a whole new place from where it was 12 months earlier.
One year ago, I was still completely lost in what I wanted to do with my career.
I was still convinced that I was going to be a truck driver, my plan B, because I had no idea what I wanted to do.
Now, a year later, not only have I declared a major in communications/journalism, but also two minors in business and leadership.
I’m exploring summer internships, jobs related to my field of study and generally just looking forward to the future because I finally feel confident that I can.
I’m so happy and passionate about my studies, and that is something I never thought I would say.
The friends that I was closest to one year ago are no longer a part of my life.
As it has always been said, friends do come and go.
Within the last year, I have met so many new people and made a lot of new friends.
I had an awesome summer with new and old friends, and we all had a great time.
I started and quit a second job within the last year.
I learned a lot about myself in the short seven months that I worked at Dave & Buster’s.
I realized that I can do things I thought I couldn’t.
Being a game tech, I was constantly overwhelmed by the amount of technical knowledge they expected me to have, but I always walked in with a smile on my face and did my best, regardless of how “technically-illiterate” my co-workers made me feel.
Quitting that job, though, was a good decision that has allowed me to focus more on my studies and my real goal, which is getting my degree.
Having to rush from school to get there to work a ten-hour shift and not get out until 2:30 a.m. and not be appreciated for my hard work was not the best for my studies or self-esteem.
So I made a self-executive decision and got the heck out of there.
Since going back to only having one job, my studies, self-esteem and sleeping habits have significantly improved.
But I do not regret anything about that job.
It taught me a lot about myself, and made me realize that I can’t wait to work in a field that I actually like.
Overall, 2015 was a good year for me.
I feel like I’m in a completely different place than I was a year ago, and I’m happy to say that.
It had its ups and down, but every year does.
Even though it may not always seem like it, every day is a tiny bit of progress.
Sometimes, when I’m feeling down about something specific, I think about whether the issue will really matter in year, and 90 percent of the time I conclude that it won’t.
So even though life can get rough at times, especially for college students, we just have to look at the big picture and realize that our lives are just beginning.
We have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.
