Our college years are full of dramatic “I’m not a grown up!” moments- mostly unexpected, and typically unwanted. Anonymous Valley writers discuss it all, from avoiding basic responsibilities to dealing with the big, bad future. Let’s talk about it.
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to pack up our rooms and head home for the summer. The conclusion of yet another school year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past eight months and evaluate how we’ve grown.
For some of us, this year meant finally starting the relationship we’ve always dreamed of. For others, it was finding the power to excel in the classroom or student clubs. With so many achievements to look back on, it’s only rational for us to think of our futures. What can we do next?
I would be lying if I told you that I was a spontaneous girl. In reality, my routine is quite rigid – no moment unplanned for or time left to waste. To some, this is a flaw, deemed my “inability to relax and let loose”. But, to me, it’s the way I accomplish my tasks and excel the to the next levels of my academia, personal and career goals. This is why, as I begin to pack up my life this week, I’m faced with issue of starting over. Not only must I figure out where I want to go next, but I’m challenged to re-write my entire routine.
When you’re packing for school with minimal car space, one of the most important things to consider is which items have to be taken along and what can be left at home. Do we leave room in our suitcases for tens of basic t-shirts or use the space for a special top we’ve always loved? And in the suitcase of life, how do we determine which relationships are important enough to pack up and take with us, and who should be left behind?
The silent pressure of summer vacation is beginning to creep up on my new relationship with *John. After weeks of dinner dates and study breaks we’ve figured each other out on a deeper level and developed more serious feelings. For the first time at Penn State, I’ve found myself embarking on what seems like the road to a real relationship.
Over the past few weeks, making time to see John has taken precedence over other tasks in my routine – a sign I know means I really like someone. So now that it’s time to say goodbye, I must decide, has our relationship earned a spot in the boxes of my life? It may just be the time for me to replace the basic t-shirts and make room for a new special top.
*names have been changed.
Photo by Shantelle Williams
