My Learning Statement:
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” This quote, uttered by Gandalf in the movie, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” was my senior quote in high school. It still seems pertinent to me now, four years later.
My college experience has been filled with uncertainty. I had a lot of uncertainty about choosing a major and I took all kinds of random classes in the search of a subject that I liked. I was uncertain about where to live each year, what extracurriculars to get involved with, and the status of many of my friendships and relationships. Even now, I still have uncertainty about what I will do after I graduate. Looking back, these past four years have taught me that uncertainty is okay. In fact, almost nothing in life is ever certain.
There are an infinite number of paths I could have followed to get where I am, and another infinite number of paths I could take from here. I used to worry about taking the perfect path. I would always second guess my decisions, wondering if I was making the right ones. That uncertainty haunted me and the doubt about the path I was on permeated my life during my freshman year of college. Whereas some of my friends had one thing they were extremely passionate about, I never felt that way. While other people’s paths were clear and obvious to them, I never underwent an epiphany about what I should do with my life. However, my time in college has taught me that there is not only one correct way. I’ve learned that it doesn’t entirely matter what path you take, as long as you choose one and stick with it. Now, when I am uncertain about something, I try to just make a decision and move on. Don’t get me wrong, I still seriously consider all courses of action. But I don’t agonize anymore over whether my actions are going to take me on the perfect life path, because thinking like that is only unproductive and anxiety-inducing.
I am so grateful that my college experience has taught me how to face uncertainty. Without venturing into the unknown, I would have never started a band, become the president of The Philosophy Society, or majored in English. When I formed my band, Cherry Tomato, during my junior year, I didn’t know what I was getting into or what the future would hold. I had to take a leap of faith and step out of my current comfort zone. At the time, making music alone in my room was what was comfortable for me. Taking action and putting myself out there by playing music with others in front of crowds of people meant giving up security, but it also meant meeting amazing people, opening doors to new and exciting opportunities, and building my confidence as a musician and as a person. That is why I firmly believe people should take risks and acquaint themselves with uncertainty. Everyone who has achieved success or fulfillment had to do so by pushing themselves and by braving new territory.
It’s true that uncertainty is scary. Not knowing what the future holds is terrifying. I’m proud to say that thanks to the experiences I have had in college, I have learned to face my fear. I have grown as a person and come to embrace uncertainty and change. These things are inevitable, and the best I can do is to accept that fact. In this sense, Gandalf was right. There are so many different paths I can take, but all I can do is to choose which ones to follow. Embracing the unknown is simply something that comes with this. As I look forward to my future after graduation, I hope I will continue to have the courage to welcome uncertainty in my life.
My college experience has been filled with uncertainty. I had a lot of uncertainty about choosing a major and I took all kinds of random classes in the search of a subject that I liked. I was uncertain about where to live each year, what extracurriculars to get involved with, and the status of many of my friendships and relationships. Even now, I still have uncertainty about what I will do after I graduate. Looking back, these past four years have taught me that uncertainty is okay. In fact, almost nothing in life is ever certain.
There are an infinite number of paths I could have followed to get where I am, and another infinite number of paths I could take from here. I used to worry about taking the perfect path. I would always second guess my decisions, wondering if I was making the right ones. That uncertainty haunted me and the doubt about the path I was on permeated my life during my freshman year of college. Whereas some of my friends had one thing they were extremely passionate about, I never felt that way. While other people’s paths were clear and obvious to them, I never underwent an epiphany about what I should do with my life. However, my time in college has taught me that there is not only one correct way. I’ve learned that it doesn’t entirely matter what path you take, as long as you choose one and stick with it. Now, when I am uncertain about something, I try to just make a decision and move on. Don’t get me wrong, I still seriously consider all courses of action. But I don’t agonize anymore over whether my actions are going to take me on the perfect life path, because thinking like that is only unproductive and anxiety-inducing.
I am so grateful that my college experience has taught me how to face uncertainty. Without venturing into the unknown, I would have never started a band, become the president of The Philosophy Society, or majored in English. When I formed my band, Cherry Tomato, during my junior year, I didn’t know what I was getting into or what the future would hold. I had to take a leap of faith and step out of my current comfort zone. At the time, making music alone in my room was what was comfortable for me. Taking action and putting myself out there by playing music with others in front of crowds of people meant giving up security, but it also meant meeting amazing people, opening doors to new and exciting opportunities, and building my confidence as a musician and as a person. That is why I firmly believe people should take risks and acquaint themselves with uncertainty. Everyone who has achieved success or fulfillment had to do so by pushing themselves and by braving new territory.
It’s true that uncertainty is scary. Not knowing what the future holds is terrifying. I’m proud to say that thanks to the experiences I have had in college, I have learned to face my fear. I have grown as a person and come to embrace uncertainty and change. These things are inevitable, and the best I can do is to accept that fact. In this sense, Gandalf was right. There are so many different paths I can take, but all I can do is to choose which ones to follow. Embracing the unknown is simply something that comes with this. As I look forward to my future after graduation, I hope I will continue to have the courage to welcome uncertainty in my life.