The Right Path

A twenty-three-year-old freshman may not seem like the best source of advice someone might find, but I think I have a unique view that offers some perspective others might not have. I started college late because I was doing one of the other things one can do after high school. After spending four years in the military, I can confidently say to anyone who might be worried about coming into college and the challenges that it brings are the right kind of problems to have. In the military, worries about exams or making friends are replaced by fears of having a corporal who likes to yell and messing up in front of higher leadership. Both of those would get you an earful that would probably include some physical exercise. There was also the culture the military promotes. If you weren’t a drinker before, be prepared to be almost forced to. I know lots of college students say they enjoy drinking, but the military takes it two steps further. Lots of people are forced to chug alcohol on their first weekend they get to their unit, and I was no exception. So, for anyone in their first year of college who thinks they should have gone down the other path, I promise that you are in the right place.

As someone who started college later than most of the people in my class, I felt I would be miles behind everyone. I hadn’t learned any traditional subjects in years and figured that I would be playing nothing but catch up my first year. But that hasn’t been the case. While it took a little bit to get into a groove, once I did, it was like riding a bike. Study strategies and workload distribution came back to me, and I started to do really well. For those who freshman who aren’t coming straight from high school and might be worried about lagging behind, just remember that the life experience you gained during that time will put you ahead in other ways. Whether you took a gap year, worked after high school and are continuing education, or served in the military, I truly believe that no matter when you decide to start or go back to college, there is no greater time than the present.