My freshman year of college is almost over, and I can’t believe it. Over the past two semesters, I’ve learned so much, not only about myself, but about the people and the world around me.
I have learned to open my mind. Not everyone thinks the same way I do; not everyone has the same values and goals. Not a single one of us has had the same experiences that shape us into the people we are today. I go to class every day with people who have grown up in other states or other countries, and it’s incredible to hear about their experiences and learn from them. I have had thoughtful conversations with people who have opinions much different than mine, and I have learned so much because of it. If I kept myself from those who act differently or have different values, I don’t know that I could call myself educated in the least bit. I think having the perspective of others has a lot to do with how we grow as people.
I have learned that the world isn’t always fair. This issue has been heavy on my heart recently. While the news and media force conflict down our throats, especially with recent political issues, there is so much injustice and lack of morality in our world that is hidden from us. Not to be cliché, but terrible things happen to incredible people. It seems that people lose their love for each other when things get tough, so I have learned to be kind. While I can tell you plenty of situations where I am not proud of my actions, I believe I am much more conscious of the hurt I could cause someone. The world is critical and so harsh already. I don’t want to be another piece in the game.
I have learned a lot about relationships. Whether it be relationships with friends or family, it takes effort. It was easy to say I loved or cared about someone when I saw them every day, but now, being away at college, it means so much more. I have learned which relationships are good for me and which ones are bad. I invest my time into the relationships that make life worth living, not the ones that tear me down. I have learned to make time for the ones I care about, because the relationships we have in life are what matter most.
And perhaps the biggest realization I have come to over the last two semesters is that ordinary is okay. This might seem like a strange thing to say, but it is something I have struggled with most in my life. I always thought that if I didn’t do something huge, something everyone wished they could do, I would have failed. That may be one of the most self-conceited statements I will ever admit to, but it was the truth. I didn’t think it was okay to aspire to have a regular job and settle down with a family; I thought I had to do something crazy and something everyone would think was incredible. In fact, it was quite a struggle for me to accept that I wasn’t taking off across the country to go to college. I thought I was calling it quits on any big dreams I could come up with. I thought I would miss out on all the experiences necessary to be happy.
Thank God I realized that this was absolutely not true. Kids across the world would do anything just to have the chance to go to a college like Ouachita. They would do anything to go to school in general. I am so blessed to have the opportunities that I do. Ordinary is okay. As long as I am surrounded by people I love, taking advantage of the opportunities in front of me, what else could I ask for?
by Ashlynn Morton, Staff writer
