With the semester winding down to a close, many students will be leaving Knoxville to pursue their summer plans. From real world jobs to internships to staying home with your family, the summer can offer many opportunities to try new things, make memorable experiences and learn to let go of the past as we move forward with life.
College is the perfect time to exercise those dreams and wants that we might not be able to accomplish once we have entered the workforce. We are young and capable of performing our highest expectations.
Do not let your summer pass you by without opening yourself to the new scenes and ideas. This will only allow you to learn and grow as a person.
Trying new things can be a scary yet rewarding experience. Sometimes we must try the unknown in order to truly understand its impact and importance. In college, we often have our daily routines we must follow. There is never a time in our day that we are unsure of what tasks we must do. It seems that our school days continue in a mundane fashion until we can suffer through our finals and go on to the fun and leisure of summer. That is why each student should strive to try new things this summer.
Now is the time to add some spirit and life to our daily routines. Sometimes the little things in life can make the greatest impact. Try a new meal at dinner, or go for a morning run. Take a sewing course or join a club. Trying new things will result in a less boring summer, and could even result in a new outlook on life.
With so much time on our hands, we must use it wisely this summer. Make new experiences that will aid you in becoming a better person. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter or go on a road trip with friends. Do not be afraid to let go and see the world in a different light. As college kids, we have the ability to try these new experiences without many consequences to follow. And sometimes, learning from those mistakes can provide wisdom for the next time we encounter those moments. We always hear that college is our best years; make sure to live up to that statement and make the memories you wish to have.
If you are a senior, and looking forward to getting on with life and entering into the adult world, letting go of the old can be a difficult and emotional time. One must realize that all things come to an end, and that your time here was cherished and special. If you are not a senior, it still might be hard to let go of things that you once did. But with the common phrase, “when one door closes another one opens,” remember that life will continue on. Believe in yourself and know that everything will turn out how it is supposed to be eventually.”
Moving from the old into the new can be a frightening time. Those who challenge this have more courage than they probably know. Letting yourself try new things, gain life experiences and releasing the old when it is not needed any longer can be difficult for some. But I can guarantee that if you allow yourself to explore, you will learn more about yourself and what you truly want most in life.
— Samantha Trueheart is a sophomore in communications. She can be reached at [email protected].
