Your path is not set in stone. As young adults, it’s important to know that it’s okay to change your mind.
As a first-year undergraduate student, I came to university with a plan and a dream career I saw down the path I was trekking. I was yearning to study physics and begin to unravel the secrets of the universe within my own hands. During these studies, I planned to possibly get my PhD in theoretical physics in the far future.
For the majority of my first semester, I spent a great deal of time within the walls of the Murray Library in awe of the plethora of books that the university welcomes you to read and study. The multitude of genres within its six floors reminds me of all the levels of life we go through, every book representing the things we learn and memories we make. The thousands of books that tell drastic stories of fiction or history are all within the reach of our curious minds. Books of other languages, with forgotten annotations in the margins, are also waiting to be discovered.
The sixth floor is what I call the world of art, showcasing all types of art forms and their history within the pages of beautifully bounded covers. I discovered a book by Ross King called The Judgement of Paris. Little did I know, this book created a new pathway on the road I was wandering— it invited me into the history of impressionism and history around the well-known man, Napoleon. It rekindled my passion for art and history, discussing both themes while providing interesting facts about the period to explain the art pieces more clearly.
As someone who planned to study physics and pursue a career in the field, this book introduced me to a whole wonderful new world of learning. After immersing myself in these books I fell in love with learning literature and decided to take similar classes. I rediscovered my admiration for reading and found the inspiration to complete my own poetry and written works. Writing about the things I have read or experienced helps me through the knotted strings in my mind.
Since placing my feet on campus ground,I felt I only had to stay within the walls of what I have chosen to study, but this is the beauty of university— the welcoming pathways of studies that open up to you. The endless possibilities given to you to help you find your spark and your passion within academia and life.
Through all of this, one valuable lesson I’ve discovered during my studies is that no matter where you are on your journey—whether just beginning or well along the way—it’s perfectly fine to embrace the open paths before you and choose a different direction if it feels right. These are our desired paths, where we encounter new subjects we could discover a deep love for. No one has a set path to follow from birth, as you grow you decide what you want to do. With the opportunities we are given, we are allowed to design our lives how we see fit in the most beautiful ways.
It is okay to take the unforged path you didn’t plan to trek. The world is waiting for you in wonderful ways.