I recall the empty feeling of my parents dropping me off at my dorm residence hall before the start of my first semester understanding that change was right in front of me. New people, classes, and environments surrounded me and I knew that fun times and fulfillment were ahead, but difficult decisions would also come ahead.
With an undergraduate population of over 39,000 people and a need for a personal community, I decided to rush and join a fraternity where I found experiences and friendships, allowing me to be more confident about where I was. Although this experience worked for me, I know that many incoming freshmen and students as a whole struggle with the internal conflict of building meaningful relationships and finding a career path that they want to pursue.
As I recall my first semester of school, I struggled with the profound responsibility correlated with the courses I was taking at Carlson School of Management. Throughout this personal struggle, I continuously learned skills on how to better manage my time and prioritize my responsibilities. I found that this continued growth caused me to feel more fulfilled with myself; but still couldn’t focus on classes that I was forced to take and had absolutely zero interest in. Freshman finance student Luke Hupprich shared similar experiences, stating how, “It can be frustrating taking courses that suck, but it has helped me cross off different majors and skills that I don’t want to do in my future”. Understanding what courses you are taking that have no personal fulfillment in your passions and desires is an important step to building a future fulfilling career.
Throughout my educational experiences at Carlson School of Management, I have felt a push for a set career path designed for corporate America and financial success. I believe there is more to life than financial success, and I am continuing to search for fulfillment in my process. I believe a fulfilled life is designed for the pursuit of excellence in a specific task that fulfills an individual. I believe that corporate America causes people to become overwhelmed with responsibilities that take them away from the outside joys of the pursuit of their passions.
Most of us, if born with healthy genetics and a genetically predisposed healthy mind, have the ability to become exceptional at something and leave their lives making a mark. As it pertains to being a college student, setbacks, adversity, continuous learning and personal development are always surmounting ourselves. I have found profound enjoyment in various Joe Rogan podcasts during my time at college. Some of my favorite information he portrays within his works includes, “This is really it, man.. don’t put pressure on yourself, who cares? Don’t give a crap about what people think. Just practice, be confident and go out and do what you can do” (The Joe Rogan Experience Episode 28). I love this kind of external advice, showcasing that only you should pursue your personal passions and desires. Confidence and a consistent desire to get better is a mindset that will allow anyone to achieve their dreams and continue to strive for more.
I believe that we live in a world surrounded by our internal doubts, fears, desires, dreams and goals. As I continue my through my journey in college, I want to find personal fulfillment and build a path that leads me to success. Being mindful of the learning curves and opportunities presented in the college experience is important to capitalize on. I am grateful for my current opportunities in college as well as the successes to come in the future. Through and through, “I am still learning” (Michelangelo, 1552).
