The Beauty and Ignorance of Being Young

After taking a year off of school and working full-time, to not end up living in the streets, I've realized many things about myself and others. Would you believe that you can have an entire conversation with a person and not say a single word. If you shut up, there is always someone to fill in the gaps for you. Amazingly, it almost never fails. The one thing I have seen more than ever before is how old i am getting.

I turned 22 in March, and i know that i am not old per say, but i am older than many of my peers, and because of this, i have sat back and listened to everything being said. I have heard people considering transferring to other schools or dropping out. I have heard people complaining about Long Island non-stop, and say that they want to move somewhere else, but they are still here. I have heard people change their minds about potential majors and careers hundreds of times, and than go right back to where they were, because of what someone else says.

And all of these things are great...i encourage all of you to strive for anyone of these things, but in my life, i have learned a few things. The chances for someone being able to transfer sucks...it's more difficult to transfer between schools than it is to get into college period. Moving off Long Island can be done, but if you don't do it right, you'll end up screwed in too many ways (one thing i can vouch for). Choosing a major or career is difficult and complicated, but that's life. It will take time to find something you truly want to do, so i encourage everyone to dabble. It can't hurt to try new things, but take it from me...DON'T DROP OUT or TAKE TIME OFF! Leaving the grind of school to take time for yourself can be a death sentence. Once you've left it, you will never want to come back.

Overall, I'm getting older, and I'm coming to terms with that, and i encourage everyone to pursue happiness. Not money, not new surroundings, not sex, not a new high and not a new place to live, because when it comes down to it, if you're not happy by yourself and with yourself, you never will be.