I had a very clear plan for college. Thankfully, I got into my top-choice school and received enough financial aid to make attending a reality.
By the time the school year started, I had a mental checklist of everything I wanted to accomplish during my freshman year, especially when it came to extracurriculars and pursuing my major: magazine, news, and digital journalism.
I’d spent the last four years of my life fully immersed in my high school newspaper (happily and wholeheartedly), and I was ready to keep that momentum going. Within my first two weeks on campus, I was already attending meetings for the college paper, one of the most prestigious in the country, which only added to its appeal.
But as I sat in those meetings surrounded by people who were supposedly just like me, I felt out of place. I didn’t enjoy being there. I didn’t want to write.
For the first time in years, I felt completely unsure of what I was meant to do.
Journalism had kind of just fallen into my lap. My older sister had done it, so I followed her lead. Luckily, I ended up loving it. When it came time to choose a major, the decision felt natural. I researched programs, landed on the one I’m in now, and hoped for the best. I got in, and just like that, the path seemed laid out.
So when it stopped feeling right, I panicked.
I had built so much of my identity around journalism. To regain a sense of direction, I started trying everything that sparked even a little bit of excitement. It felt like I tried on a hundred different hats until I found the one that fit: the college TV station.
On paper, it’s a small shift: still journalism, just a different medium. However, it felt like a turning point.
I realized I didn’t want to be a writer. I wanted to work in broadcasting. That clarity changed everything. I’ve been working toward that goal ever since. And while I may not receive the same recognition I used to, I genuinely enjoy what I do now, and that matters more.
What I’m trying to say is: college is the perfect time to figure things out. It’s a privilege to have that space.
It is okay to change direction. It is okay not to know everything.
What I think I want now might be totally different from what I want five years from now, and that’s more than alright. If something doesn’t work out, it probably wasn’t meant to.
And if you ever find yourself freaking out about your future, talk to a mentor or supervisor. Odds are, they’ll smile and remind you that you’re 18, and your life is just beginning. Not having it all figured out yet is not a problem. It’s expected.
Try on as many hats as you can. Don’t fear change. Embrace what you loved in high school, but don’t be afraid to outgrow it.