Students blog

Graduation: Incoming

As I get closer to crossing the stage and entering uncharted territory, one question gets louder: “What’s next?”

For my fellow seniors, thoughts about what’s next might be hitting a little harder as our collegiate chapter ends. Sometimes it feels like a million thoughts run through your head, ranging from hopeful and excited to nervous and doubtful.

If you’ve felt that pressure, here’s a reminder to pause and be present as we figure it out.

Football to Filmmaking

I came to campus as an eager, hot-blooded teenager who couldn’t wait to get my fill of the “college experience.” I joined the football team, made friends, and went to events. But I didn’t expect my feelings toward football to change, and that led to my first real identity crisis.

My passion for the sport was dwindling, and I was scared. Without football, I didn’t know what else I’d do.

I tried to straddle the fence for a while, but a serious concussion made the choice for me. That was the first time I truly asked myself, “What’s next?” I was lost.

Over time, uncertainty weighed on me, and my outlook grew darker. I questioned everything: Who am I? Who do I want to become? Did I make the wrong decision to quit? Should I even stay in college?

Those thoughts ran heavy, but eventually I decided to take things one day at a time. After months of going through the motions without direction, I thought, “Why not give video a try?” I had no idea how to shoot, edit, or craft a story, yet I had always loved stories.

That small step opened the door to what’s now my passion. Storytelling and filmmaking have become my lane. For me, picking up a camera became my way of learning to see the world in front of me.

Senior Reflections

Looking back, I realize I was so in my own head that I didn’t allow myself to enjoy the process. Even in moments of joy and triumph, I was focused on “what’s next.”

My college experience forced me to confront something I’ve always known: I’m a chronic overthinker. That’s why I’m shifting my perspective this year.

I’m in awe that I’m really here, still standing. My journey through college has prepared me and shaped me into who I am today.

I am ready to take on what’s ahead, even if I have no idea what the future will look like. As I prepare to close one chapter and begin another, I like to remind myself that we’re still in the middle of writing our life story.

Sure, sometimes I wish I could look into a crystal ball and make a list of all my future mistakes, so I can try to create a safe, smooth ride. But truthfully, what fun is that?

Every experience, every rose, matters. Our mistakes, detours, and challenges—our stories—make us who we are. Even when you’re looking straight ahead, ready to take on what’s next, it’s always good to stop and smell the roses.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

As I sit and reflect on the person I’ve become, I realize the individual I once identified with feels like a distant, familiar stranger. “Creative” was never a word I associated with myself or imagined others would use to describe me. Yet now, creativity defines my world and has become an intrinsic part of who I am. However, this transformation didn’t happen overnight. The journey to discovering my creative side and, ultimately, my newest passion was anything but easy.

After walking away from football during my sophomore year of college, I felt lost and aimless. Football had been such an intrinsic part of my life that I never allowed myself to believe I could excel at anything else. For six months, life without football left me at my lowest point. I didn’t know who I was anymore—until I found my way back to my first true love: storytelling.

Storytelling is the fuel that drives me forward in life. I’ve always had an affinity for creative storytelling, whether factual or fictional. The very act of weaving narratives has always fascinated me. Although my life was deeply entrenched in the student-athlete lifestyle, I often turned to media and storytelling as my escape. When football was no longer part of my day-to- day life, I immersed myself in narrative storytelling more deeply than ever before. With my newfound free time, I had no idea what to do—until one day, my younger brother, a 2D animator, suggested I start making videos. With nothing to lose, I decided to take the risk.

I’ll be transparent: I don’t believe I found creativity—creativity found me. From the moment I dipped my hand in the cookie jar, I became obsessed. From writing scripts to learning how to edit, tapping into my creative side became more than just a hobby—it was therapeutic. It forced me to reflect and understand myself in ways I never had before, sparking the motivation to become the person I truly want to be. I fell in love with the introspection that storytelling required, because to tell great stories, one must first understand their own.

As time goes on, I see myself continuing to grow as a creative. I view it as my avenue to live a truly free life. But what this journey has also taught me is how easy it is to put ourselves in boxes, limiting our ability to think beyond those confines. Creativity shattered those limits for me, showing me that the capabilities of our minds are truly endless.

Creative storytelling helped me discover that we are not meant to be tied to a single, fixed identity—whether defined by society or by ourselves. We are far more nuanced, and our minds are filled with infinite possibilities. As an aspiring storyteller in all its forms, my dream is to travel the world and provide people with a comfortable platform to share their stories. Learning about my own creative abilities has inspired me to dedicate my life to one guiding principle: Chasing Infinity.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!