Why are you going to college? For your MRS Degree?
A friend once asked me this, and while most girls may laugh at the comment, or even agree, I
found it to be out of line for several reasons.
Going off to college expands your mind and paves the way to your future. While many of us may
notyet have a clear vision for what we want for our future, we are constantly learning more
about the world in which we live and about ourselves.
College is the optimal time for this self-discovery: learning new things, pursuing new passions
and finding your place in the world.
College is a time for finding yourself, not your Prince Charming.
College allows for a bit of an identity crisis; it throws you into a whole new world that
includes new people, new responsibilities and new opportunities.
No one is looking over you shoulder and telling you what to do, and there is rarely someone who
has a preconceived notion of who you are or who you should be. College is a time for you to
truly discover who you are and who you want to be.
If you get caught up in pursuing a relationship, you run the risk of letting your partner define
you. When you only see yourself as a part of someone else, you can rob yourself of the
opportunity to truly discover and love who you are. When you do truly know and love who you are,
you will be more prepared for a successful relationship.
Part of this identity confirmation comes with setting gools that will shape your future. As you
are declaring your major, deciding whether or not you want to study abroad and figuring out
which activities you want to pursue both during and after college, you'll begin to set goals.
You'll begin to find new interests and try new things, which will help you learn more about
yourself and encour-age you to reach for more. Searching for a man can distract you from your
goals and lead you to be more focused on attaining that elusive Prince Charming, rather than on
the independent person you are striving to become.
While college is about discovering yourself and preparing for your future, a big part of it is
also about having fun. Don't get too caught up in the small things, regardless of how big they
may seem in the moment.
Remember just to enjoy yourself, join that club you have been considering checking out, try rock
climbing for the first time, go out for a crazy night with your girls and spend time just doing
you.
When you do what makes you happy, you will be happi-er---it's as simple as that! If Prince
Charming comes along after you have already discovered what kind of Princess you want to be,
thengo for it. Otherwise, don't stress yourself out about finding your partner to complete your
picture.
Your future self will thank you for the lack of wrinkles.