Shay Goodreau-Kangas

MARQUETTE — No one actually wants to grow up. Not really, anyway.

Certainly, it’s a part of life, but it’s something you must do, not necessarily something you want to do, unless you’re one of those Einstein-gifted kids who are ready to take on the world from birth.

Hats off to them, but the rest of us are just trying to live day by day. Hour by hour is for people with major stressors in their lives, so it’s difficult to catch a single break.

No matter what the situation is, there’s always a way through. Whether it be a phone call to clear up a misunderstanding, a meeting or doing the homework you spent a week trying to get out of because “your dog ate it.”

No, that’s not how you fix a problem. The only way to work your way through a situation is to face it.

Personally, I have been trying to make peace with the fact that my life is changing. I’m too old for my youth group, but I feel too young for college. It’s a middle ground that I can’t explain perfectly. That might be for the best, though. I just completed my college orientation, and it made me see that none of us know what we’re doing, and we’re playing a “fake it till we make it through exam week” game.

I felt like the new girl again, but honestly, it was kind of fun. In one of the meetings arranged for us, we were told about how college is a fresh start for all of us. We can reinvent ourselves into the people we want to be instead of feeling the external pressures of judgmental high school students.

Orientation was a great experience and went better than I could’ve imagined. I may have gotten lost five times on the first day, but I’m certain that everyone did at some point during the day.

When faced with new opportunities like this, it makes me think about past memories. Maybe it’s reminiscing, maybe it’s me crying out to my past self to take me back to when I didn’t have so many responsibilities.

Part of me loves the challenge each day presents, but at the same time, I miss being a kid to an extent. I have more freedom now, and that’s more than I could ever ask for. There are positives and there are negatives, but no matter what, it’s going to be OK. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

I can think about what classes were like when I was a kid, but I’m aware it’ll be vastly different in college. Less restrictive in some ways but more so in others.

New people who bring new experiences and memories, both good and bad, but either way, something new and wonderful in its own way. It’s safe to say I’m excited for all that college has to offer, but still missing what once was. Maybe a part of me always will, but it’s time to move forward in my adventure. And that adventure will start on the first day of class.

Classes won’t be starting till the end of August, so until then I have the nerves to deal with. Shockingly, I’m not entirely freaked out.

Maybe I’ve accepted my fate. Maybe I came to terms with this being a part of life. Maybe the nerves won’t actually set in till the day before classes. All I know is that at this moment in time, regarding college, I do not have to worry. In fact, it’s one more thing to look forward to.

Eventually, I’m going to start worrying about getting to college in the wintertime. That’s not going to be fun, but it’s going to be all right. This process is just a part of life.

Some experience it, some don’t. Some people experience an entirely different perspective regarding college. No matter the situation, though, it’s a new beginning for all of us.