Some paths are paved. Others start with a spontaneous “yes, why not?”
When I started at UW, I thought I needed the perfect 4-year plan: pick the perfect major, find a friend group, join clubs, make the perfect life. But almost everything my freshman year came from the moments I never planned for, the detours I didn’t realize I was taking.
- Say yes to (almost) everything
Saying yes to the most random things led to some of my favorite memories. An unexpected invitation to a club meeting that I was unaware of developed into a passion that turned into me switching my major. A friendship that I now rely on began with a simple stroll around the farmer’s market with a person down my hall. Instead of overanalyzing every action, sometimes it’s okay to just go with it.
Check out what’s happening this week on campus and say yes here.
- Give it time
I always assumed that within the first two weeks, I’d have my major for the next four years picked out and have ‘found my niche.’ I didn’t. It required time, a few missed opportunities, and lots of awkward events and conversations that didn’t lead anywhere. But after a while, I stumbled into the right places, where I felt like I was truly myself and everything I could’ve ever wanted before college. That feeling is worth the wait.
- Find your middle ground
College can feel like a constant push to do more, be at every event, and be at the top of your class. But some of my clearest moments came during solo walks along the lake or movie nights in my dorm. Say “yes,” but also say “not tonight” when you need it too. Listen to yourself and find that middle ground that makes you feel at your best–that is what’s most important.