Freedom 101
Right now, many of you are about to cross the finish line of High School. As you make your glorious victory lap, celebrating the eve of your freedom, another race eagerly awaits you.
Once you enter the arena of college, your courses, teams/clubs, and social life will all challenge you in uncomfortable ways. On top of this, you’ll be surrounded by an overwhelming amount of talented, smart, and driven competitors. In this vast and trying field, your faith and self-confidence will be tested in every direction you look. It won’t be long until you stumble upon an ancient truth: freedom is a scary beast.
Although your environment may be overwhelming, leaving you feeling naked and insecure, this will be a tremendous opportunity for you to discover like-minded, and more importantly, like-hearted individuals who will help you find your bearings. Without a proper sail, the endless sea becomes an enemy. And so, if you want to reap the treasures of freedom in college, learn to ground yourself in your relationships and seek out those who will help you navigate.
We are not suggesting you go out there and make friends, we are saying that it is absolutely imperative.
As human beings, we all operate on the same level: the broader, more diverse the environment, the more personal and profound of a connection we need. Beneath the layers of defenses, all your peers share the same yearning to be accepted as you do. This is why we need tight-knit, emotionally nourishing relationships: they give us the confidence to become the best versions of ourselves.
In other words, if you want to fly free, plant your feet in the ground.
You are about to enter a networking frenzy. The opportunity for connection will await you on every corner. However, when it comes to relationships, the power doesn’t lie in numbers. Although you should certainly explore, it is important to focus on building the bridges that provide a crossing to a destination you’d like to head towards. Ultimately, there can be no freedom without direction.
While an open-mind and free spirit are essential tools to bring with you to college, it is just as imperative that you plant your roots during the next four years. If you can remain grounded in the dynamic and foreign world you are about to enter, you will be an eagle in a land of scurrying mice.
The beautiful thing about starting a new school is that you can shed your labels and evolve into the person you always wanted to be. This will lead you to discover individuals, groups, and ideas that align with who you are. Understand that it is just as important to focus on your social relationships in college as it is on your academics, for they are both lifelong contributions and paths towards independence.
