College Life, Growth, and Learning When to Choose Yourself

If I had to sum up this entire college journey in one feeling, it would be this: constantly learning while trying to keep up with who I thought I was supposed to be.

This is my fifth semester of college, and I can honestly say this spring semester taught me more than any class ever has. Not just about marketing or management or sports or anything on my transcript—but about myself. About what I actually want, what I’m actually good at, and what I had to stop forcing just to fit a version of my life I thought I was supposed to want.

Finding my direction (and letting go of the wrong one)

At the start of my college journey, I didn’t have things figured out. I went in thinking I wanted to be an oral surgeon. That felt like the “right” answer at the time. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was trying to fit myself into something that wasn’t actually mine.

Letting go of that wasn’t easy.

I had to have real conversations—with people close to me like my parents, my grandparents, and Ryan—about what I was feeling and what I was struggling with. I needed help figuring out where I actually belonged, and more importantly, I had to learn that asking for that help wasn’t a weakness. It was part of figuring it out.

What I didn’t expect to love

What came out of all of that wasn’t just a new major. It was a completely new understanding of myself.

I found my love for math and analytics, which honestly surprised me in the best way (yes, I know, I’m a nerd). Instead of forcing myself down a medical path that didn’t feel right anymore, I shifted toward Marketing, Management, and Sports.

My goal now is what I like to call a triple degree path through Northwood University, where I can actually build something that feels like me.

And for the first time in a while… it does.

The part nobody talks about

But if I’m being honest, the most exhausting part of all of this wasn’t the schoolwork, or the exams, or even planning my future while still being in it.

It was learning balance.

And realizing that sometimes balance means letting go of certain things—including people or situations that weren’t meant for me anymore.

That part wasn’t easy at all.

But it led me here—to a version of myself in college that feels more grounded, more honest, and a lot more at peace than the version of me that started this journey.

What college actually taught me

I think college doesn’t just teach you what you want to do. It shows you who you are when you strip away what everyone else expects from you.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to realize something isn’t meant for you and move on.

But I’ve also learned there’s a difference between growing… and constantly quitting on yourself every time things get hard.

Because for me, the turning point wasn’t giving up—it was finally choosing what felt right and sticking with it.

Heading into something new

As I head into summer and step out of this chapter of college life, I don’t feel like I have everything figured out. But I do feel like I finally understand myself a little better than I did before.

And honestly, that feels like enough right now.

This isn’t the end of figuring things out—it’s just the first time I feel like I’m actually building something that belongs to me.

And if you’re in a season where nothing feels clear yet, or you’re still trying to figure out where you fit—just know that changing your path doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Sometimes it just means you’re finally getting it right.