A recent article in the New York Times opinions section grabbed my attention. The title read, “Major Delusions: Why College Graduates Are Irrationally Optimistic.” As I continued to read, it was clear that upon graduation, college students still feel somewhat invincible. Do we really think the current market won’t affect those seniors searching for jobs? What about when negotiating for a fair salary? There are so many unknowns, and few answers. The focus of the New York Times article was to express how crucial optimism is when considering your future. A positive state of mind might be the most valuable resource.
The truth is that thoughts of the future are somewhat daunting for everyone. We all have this in common. We are united by our desire for success and opportunity, especially during times of national crises and victories.
On a smaller scale, the senior class will feel a sense of unity as they graduate in June. This unity has been alive since their first day of orientation. Each of us experienced this unity as new freshmen when we sang the alma mater to President Ainlay and his wife. We will forever have this bond. And, just as most of us were apprehensive for our first days of freshman year, we faced our fears. The same holds true upon graduation.
This optimism is essential for success and survival. In four years, Union will have hopefully prepared us for the undetermined path ahead. That is what we are here for. Upon entering college, we all hope to grow academically, to build friendships and connections and, most importantly, to grow as individuals. It is our responsibility to take advantage of the college experience and not just let it fly by.
I write this article as a current sophomore, and hands down, I have a lot more to learn. At the same time, I can’t believe that two years have passed. This is the critical moment when we declare our majors, and start to truly think about what our futures might entail. It is our optimism that will help us succeed in whatever field we decide to enter. For seniors, they will find endless opportunities with persistence. We all want to believe that we can achieve anything we want. And why shouldn’t we?
College is the stepping stone to the rest of our lives. Four years in the college setting is somewhat of a surreal experience. We are on our own, but not yet in the real world. We are aware of our surroundings and, at the same time, we remain in a bubble. None of us can predict exactly what the future holds. If we could, what fun would that be?
The adventures that lay ahead are exciting and nerve-racking. The future is uncertain, and that’s the greatest part of being young. We have so much to look forward to, and we are given so many more opportunities than any other generation. Seniors and rising upperclassmen, I urge you all to stay optimistic. May you all get your fair share of luck and opportunity.
Loading ...