The Voyager

Commentary: The Voyager encourages seniors to reflect on the road behind and ahead

Friday, June 05, 2009 By Raj Tyagi, incoming Editor-in-Chief

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} While the uppermost class feels that many parts of their lives are coming to an end—high school, best friends, and living at home—they are only at the beginning of a new era in their lives. They are planning their futures with excitement and fear. The excitement comes from the sense of optimism that accompanies any transitional period. However, it can be overshadowed by the fear we have of the unknown. Besides the smaller fears such as not knowing anybody and living without your parents, a more holistic fear is not knowing what to do with the rest of your life. Even as juniors, we are pressured to figure it all out, although we are honestly always more concerned with what we are doing next weekend. And it’s unrealistic to expect anything different: After 18 years of rigid structure, from the weekly routine of classes six or seven hours a day, the two or three hours of homework, and the extracurricular activities, students are not given much time to sit down and reflect on their hobbies and likings. Experimenting and having fun is when many discover their passion or future career. Encouraging students to join activities they do not like and follow the rush to impress colleges has its benefits, but in the long run raises a class without a clue to what they want to do for a living. However, college is different. The lenient environment encourages free time for experimentation and reflection. The diverse population and create-your-own-schedule system encourages nonconformity and creativity. College becomes the natural place to figure out the future. For those reminiscing the past, this is time to do it. But do not get overwhelmed by the fear of the unknown. College is not high school; it is our turn to figure out our lives.