What If It All Goes Right?

As we have all grown up, we have all experienced change. Some minor, like changing the color of your hair, and some bigger, more life altering. Let me tell you about a change I experienced and how I didn’t realize just how big it was going to be.

During my freshman year of college, I made a big transition in my life. I decided to transfer colleges. I was at Illinois State University, and looking back, that felt like the right decision at the time.

From the outside, everything seemed fine. I was close to home, around people I knew, and doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing. But deep down, I felt off. I struggled to find what I was passionate about and found myself going home or visiting friends at other schools, just looking for something that felt right.

I realized pretty quickly my college experience could be better and decided to transfer. It was a very scary decision. I kept thinking, what if this goes wrong? What if I regret it?

But then I thought, what if it all goes right? I didn’t have everything figured out, but something in me just knew I needed a change.

At the end of my freshman year, I transferred to the University of Kentucky. I was excited all summer, and for the most part, my thoughts were positive.

Then right before move-in, everything changed. The apartment I was supposed to live in had an issue, and suddenly I had nowhere to live. With only a few weeks left, I was scrambling to figure something out. I ended up being placed in a dorm with a bunch of freshmen, as a sophomore.

Not ideal.

I was already nervous about meeting people, and now I felt like I was starting even further behind. At the time, it felt like everything was going wrong again.

But it didn’t.

Little did I know this would end up being one of the best things to ever happen to me. Those girls ended up shaping my entire college experience. We were all new in our own way, experiencing everything together for the first time. They became some of my best friends. At a time when I was scared of not feeling like I belonged, they made me feel like I did more than I ever had before. 

Looking back, it’s crazy to think about how different my life would be if I hadn’t made that one decision. Honestly, you wouldn’t even be reading this right now. That one choice didn’t just change where I went to school, it changed the people I met, the experiences I had, and the person I became.

I can say I’ve truly loved my time here. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I didn’t expect, helped me grow, and brought people into my life that I can’t imagine not knowing. It showed me that growth doesn’t always come from things going perfectly, it comes from being willing to step into something new, even when you’re unsure.

Now, I’m about to graduate, and it doesn’t even feel real. It feels like just yesterday I was making that decision, scared of what could go wrong, and now I’m here at the end of it all. I feel excited for what’s next, but also really emotional. This place became home to me in a way I didn’t see coming.

And the people I met here, people I somehow lived so long without, are now the hardest thing to leave. It’s a weird feeling realizing that the same place that once felt so new and unfamiliar is now somewhere that feels so hard to walk away from.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s to appreciate the small moments. The random days, the little memories, the people you meet along the way, they end up meaning everything. The things that don’t seem important at the time are usually the ones you look back on the most.

I’ve also learned that not everything has to go according to plan for it to work out the way it’s supposed to. Some of the best parts of my experience came from things I didn’t expect or didn’t think I wanted at first.

I’m only 22, and I already feel like I’ve experienced some of life's greatest joys. That alone makes me excited for what’s ahead. It’s hard not to believe that the best is still ahead when I’ve already seen how much one decision had some of the best outcomes I've experienced.

Now, I am just days away from graduation, and I feel filled with gratitude and humbled by the experiences I’ve had. As I reflect on everything that brought me here, there are lessons I’ve learned along the way that I know will stay with me forever.

Surround Yourself with Good People

The people around you can shape your experience more than you realize. Choose people who are happy to see you win, not threatened when you do. Having supportive, positive people in your corner can make all the hard times feel so much lighter. 

Give Yourself Grace

Not every change is going to feel perfect right away. It takes time to adjust, and it’s okay if things feel uncomfortable in the beginning. Be patient with yourself while you figure it out.

Stay True to Who You Are

Never shrink yourself for the comfort of others. You were created with intention, and there is nothing wrong with taking up space, using your voice, and becoming everything you are meant to be.

Appreciate Your Own Journey

Be where your feet are. Comparison can distract you from how far you’ve already come. Sometimes you are living in moments you once prayed for, so do not let looking around keep you from appreciating what is already yours.

Let Fear Be Part of the Process 

Fear is not always a warning sign. Sometimes it appears when you are standing at the edge of growth, change, and something bigger than what you’ve known before. Feeling scared does not always mean stop, it can also mean go. Embrace it!

So if you’re ever stuck between staying where you’re comfortable and taking a risk, just ask yourself one thing:

What if it all goes right?