It’s that time of year again! The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the buzz of nervousness and excitement, the rush of making sure all supplies are accounted for, and the sight of little ones going in for the first day. Here in our family we have three little ones in elementary school, one of those starting kindergarten. But there’s also me... starting another semester of college. Shout out to my UCF Knights! And I’m really excited because that’s one semester closer to graduating. I started UCF the fall of 2010 and I moved into their dorms. Here I am four years later, living at home, working part time at the same job, a completely different major, and seeing my friends graduate. For a while, I was discontent with all of this. Why did it take me an extra year to figure out my life? It wasn’t until really recently that I’ve accepted where I am in life and I am here for a reason! Yes, it was hard to see pictures all over Instagram and Facebook of graduation pictures while I’m still studying away. But God has just really opened my eyes to a new path.
Just a recap: when I started UCF, I declared a Hospitality Management major. 3 years and a whole bunch of classes later, I decided Hospitality was just not for me. Two of the classes required for this major were Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting. Sitting in those classes I was challenged with a different type of material I’ve never seen before. This is where I was supposed to be. After telling my parents I wanted to change my major and take Hospitality minor, they supported me fully. God blessed me with supportive parents. During my first semester as an Accounting student, we moved houses, I went through a hard break-up, and I failed a class. It was the first time I’ve had such a major setback in life. And I know it won’t be my last. This is when my faith just really started taking off. Of course I had bad days and days of doubt. But spending time with God on a daily basis and surrounding myself with a positive community has allowed me to grow spiritually and mature. I have an understanding of why I am where I am.
It has now been one year since that first semester of Accounting and my life has flipped around. God has allowed me to see all the opportunities I was given those first three years and that it wasn’t a waste. He has shown me all the amazing people I met. While I wasn’t pursuing a degree that I loved, I was pursuing a life that I did. But now, I’m pursing a degree of something that is challenging and fun to me. And I’m learning more about myself every day. Our society puts such a timeline on our college education, knowing what you want to do, and a multitude of other things. They were asking us our senior year in high school what we wanted to do and pursue! Being an accountant was not even in the top 10. It takes time, folks. It takes time to know who you truly are and what you’re truly striving for. And maybe your calling won’t happen until you’re 45. It is a process. It takes time to figure out your goals and aspirations. It takes time to understand your beliefs and why you believe them. It takes time to know what you’re going to stand for. And it’s ok to be different. This is your journey, not anyone else’s. One thing I’m sure of is that I am a child of God, and with Him I can do anything. I’m 22 and just realizing how you really shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone else. I’m still figuring out who I am. Take time and know yourself, and if it takes longer than the “timeline” just remember that you aren’t alone.
Just a recap: when I started UCF, I declared a Hospitality Management major. 3 years and a whole bunch of classes later, I decided Hospitality was just not for me. Two of the classes required for this major were Financial Accounting and Managerial Accounting. Sitting in those classes I was challenged with a different type of material I’ve never seen before. This is where I was supposed to be. After telling my parents I wanted to change my major and take Hospitality minor, they supported me fully. God blessed me with supportive parents. During my first semester as an Accounting student, we moved houses, I went through a hard break-up, and I failed a class. It was the first time I’ve had such a major setback in life. And I know it won’t be my last. This is when my faith just really started taking off. Of course I had bad days and days of doubt. But spending time with God on a daily basis and surrounding myself with a positive community has allowed me to grow spiritually and mature. I have an understanding of why I am where I am.
It has now been one year since that first semester of Accounting and my life has flipped around. God has allowed me to see all the opportunities I was given those first three years and that it wasn’t a waste. He has shown me all the amazing people I met. While I wasn’t pursuing a degree that I loved, I was pursuing a life that I did. But now, I’m pursing a degree of something that is challenging and fun to me. And I’m learning more about myself every day. Our society puts such a timeline on our college education, knowing what you want to do, and a multitude of other things. They were asking us our senior year in high school what we wanted to do and pursue! Being an accountant was not even in the top 10. It takes time, folks. It takes time to know who you truly are and what you’re truly striving for. And maybe your calling won’t happen until you’re 45. It is a process. It takes time to figure out your goals and aspirations. It takes time to understand your beliefs and why you believe them. It takes time to know what you’re going to stand for. And it’s ok to be different. This is your journey, not anyone else’s. One thing I’m sure of is that I am a child of God, and with Him I can do anything. I’m 22 and just realizing how you really shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone else. I’m still figuring out who I am. Take time and know yourself, and if it takes longer than the “timeline” just remember that you aren’t alone.
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for the doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
Galatians 6:4-5, The Message translation
Galatians 6:4-5, The Message translation