I can officially say I have been a college graduate for exactly twelve days now. I obtain my degree from Columbia College of Chicago in Marketing Communications.
This was a huge accomplishment for me because finding what I wanted to do with my life didn't come easy, especially right out of high school. How can anyone know what or even who they are right after high school?
I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I danced as a small child; tap, jazz and ballet. In high school I was a part of the Key Club, Cheerleading; where I had the opportunity to travel to London, England to cheer in the 2007 New Year’s Day Parade, and softball where we competed in the state championship. All of these things were what I decided to do.
My parents always said I was different from them because I wanted to be in everything. As my fathers said, “Lindz, you like to burn both ends of the candle stick.” They weren't like most parents who supported their child to join school activities. I remember I had to sneak to softball tryouts. I had never played before but always wanted to. I didn’ t think I would make the team; but I did. I told my parents I made the team and they were not happy. However after much negotiation, I was able to stay on the team. They attended one game.
My college experience has been one that I thought I didn't like to share. However, the more I share my story, the more I realize that it inspires people.
Foolishly I moved out right after graduating high school. I lived in apartments that I could barely afford, fought with crazy roommates and mistakenly lived with best friends.
The first college I went to was a small UW school in my hometown. My parents never influenced me to go to a “bigger” “better” college. They never really encouraged me to go to college period, but I knew I had to go. I worked my first job (since high school) working as a server at a country club. Making decent money, but not much realization on how to save or handle my own money. This was something I had to learn over time. After two years at the UW school, I felt my life going in the wrong direction. I realized I wanted the experience of “College”. I wanted to live in a dorm, be a cheerleader again, and go to college campus parties. My life was headed to no-man’s land, I felt regret sinking in and I needed a change.
I applied to a small private college 45 minutes from my hometown. I fell in love with the small campus and “college life” I had dreamed about. I lived in a dorm, joined the cheerleading team, and worked at a small café opening during the weekdays. I started at literally the but crack of dawn, 6 A.M.
One of the first steps to bettering my life started at this café. I had to realize what it was to wake up before the sun so people could get their coffee before work. I never knew that people rely on coffee to get through the day. I quickly realized how to be responsible and understand that the regulars had to have their coffee and was accustomed to routine. I also became quiet found of coffee myself.
If I were late to work because of a party the night before; they let me know how it affected their day.
If I took a day off which I normally would work; they let me know I was missed.
People came in daily giving me a sense of small town belonging. My boss really understood my need to go to school and support myself and let me work until 10 A.M. right before my 10:30 class and after classes when the cafe turned into a bar.
The older regulars loved to challenge my mind with their wisdom and thoughts on life. I listened because I knew that I had no idea what life was all about because I was merely a 20 years old girl who barely experienced life outside of Wisconsin.
I dated one guy all throughout my two years at the private college. He was one year older and graduated after the first year. He moved back to Illinois in his hometown, making our close relationship a long distance relationship. We made it work to the best of our abilities. But we both were changing so mcuh in this period of our lives. It was hard to keep up with the change at times. He inspired me most to keep going and better myself. He emphasized my potential and made me realize I needed to finish college.
I was studying early education with one year away from graduating. One day a couple of my professors took me aside and suggested that I change my major. They expressed to me that my “passion” was not in teaching and they could see it. This devastated me. All the money and hours I worked at the café seemed like a waste, for nothing. It struck me that they were so wrong, and of course I would want to teach children. I continued the next semester strong, but quickly realized they were right. I met with one of my best friends and she was extremely understanding of my confusion and devistation. Her and I found a book full of degrees with descriptions. Hours and hours her and I read through this book. She would pick one she thought I would enjoy and then I would pick one. Just when we thought to give up, she suggested marketing. We looked into it more and I Realized this was perfect! However, my college didn’t offer this degree.
I talked to my boyfriend confused and unsure where to go and he suggested the opportunities Chicago had to offer as well as being closer so we didn't have to do long distance anymore. I realized in order to keep moving forward I needed move to Illinois. I thought I could be closer to him, but even more so open the door to greater opportunities.
I told one of my favorite regulars at the café one morning what had happened and the option of moving to Illinois. He looked me in the eye and explained sincerely, “If there is one thing I want you to hear and remember it is this…why are you still standing here? Go! If you stay you will regret. See the world and do not look back. I see your inspiration and potential.. I’m a 70 year old man who has no regrets because I went with my first gut to experience and to live.”
I packed my bags with no hesitation, ready to create a new me in a new place.
I moved to Illinois and attended a small community college to make sure what I wanted to do with my life was right for me. I felt if I Stopped going to college I would be giving up. I realized then that business was where I wanted to be and marketing had the most opportunity for a wide array of creativity. During that time my boyfriend and I split. Right when I moved to Illinois my college sweetheart and I ended things. We both changed so much and my delayed college career was weighing in on my boyfriend. I felt devastated and lost for so long after the split. All this new and unfamiliar things had to be taken in alone. I felt myself slipping into a cold dark place. I was giving up on myself.The one person who inspired me, who I loved, who was always there just didn't care anymore. I couldn't understand how he could just stop loving me. I tried everything to get over him. Nothing worked. All I could think about was what I had expected moving to Illinois. Over three years of struggles we had overcome together and it had to end so bad.
I reflected on my life day after day. I then decided I must go to a better school to better myself and finish as quickly as possible. The transition to Illinois was difficult; I couldn't give up though. I then began reflecting on all the things that my ex had told me to keep bettering my life. He was the only person that knew that I had to do it alone, however I think he knew that I needed to actually be alone to succeed. He had done all he was set out to do for me. We tried multiple times after this, however our love was tainted and it was time to move on.
Little did I know that I possessed the map to my future the whole time. Some people are placed in our lives for a short period of time to make us realize our potential when we cannot see it ourselves. Those people were there to guide me, as a map would be used for the lost. Once a person gets use to finding their way, a map is no longer needed. Places become familiar, and getting lost becomes an adventure.
So I dusted myself off. Began thinking of what I wanted to do with my life.
I applied to Columbia in Chicago.
I lived in the suburbs for a year. I had always wanted to experience the city so I moved to the city, not knowing a soul I lived in a studio in the Gold Coast. The first year was extremely hard for me at Columbia College and Chicago not knowing anymore.
I had always wanted to travel, I decided to study abroad in Europe within the Czech Republic. I spent six weeks in the capital Prague, with 16 strangers who changed my life forever. We studied global marketing. I now have friends who I know will always be there, built bonds with marketing professors who have guided my even to this day, and Czech people I still contact daily.
I realized the beauty in finding myself in unfamiliar places. I found my happy place, but by knowing what I want in life.
While in Europe a couple of us traveled to London, Rome, and Paris. Each place I was in charge of the map and guiding my friends around. We got lost a couple times, but always ran into something beautiful in the process. Getting lost was so much more of a greater adventure than always knowing where we were going. It reminded me of my life and after while we didn't need a map to get around anymore.
I was in training for the Chicago Marathon during this period. My training couldn't stop just because I was in Europe. My new friends encouraged me and sometimes I encouraged them to run with me. I connected with a Czech running group where everyone spoke Czech and I basically just followed the leader. I met some great people that way who spoke a little English to help me along. What stood out to me most was running through this huge tunnel that seemed to run on forever. I remember being in the tunnel and just feeling so alive. Running through the tunnel I felt so small. I had no idea where I was, I simply followed the crowd trusting they knew where they were going, but really had not a care in the world. The only thing heard were the pebbles under the feet of the runners in the group. The smell was crisp and the air was warm. This was a moment that life seemed to be weightless. This moment I realized the beauty in things when least expected. In a world so huge I felt empowered to continue to stride on.
These experiences changed my life and made me realize being independent and curious was one of my strongest points.
I came back to America with a solid group of friends and a new perspective on life. I ran the Chicago Marathon raising thousands of dollars with the Team World Vision for clean water in Africa. Graduated two weeks ago and I have jumped started my career as a Marketing and Social Media Administrator.
What I hope my story has shared is the positive light of being independent even during the worst of times will pay off. Patience, passion, and willingness to learn are key. Now it is a learning experience worthy to be shared.
I have so much more to learn and experience. Where my next adventure will be, who knows. But no matter what I will always create my own map, to greater things.
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