You are responsible for your growth

For many of us, this is our senior and final year at Chadron State. 

As exciting as it is to be in the final stretch for what ever degree you are trying to finish, it can be very daunting.

A lot of things could be changing in your life right now. Many of you are applying for jobs, internships, or master’s programs. 

This can be very overwhelming because you are beginning to shape your future. 

With this future shaping going on many things that were once important to you may be falling to the side. 

Whether that be people or interests, you are bound to outgrow some of the things you once were really passionate about. As you get older and have to adjust your focus there are going to be things you are not going to have space for in your life.

Learning to grow up and grow out of some of the immature people in your life is okay.  There are always going to be people in your life that are just enough younger than you that when you are starting to move to the next phase in your life, they are still in the past. 

It is okay to leave them behind. Not everyone is meant to be in your life forever. Not everyone is going to want to see you move on and work on your future. 

It is also important to know that life is going to really tear you down. It is up to you to use that to motivate you to keep going. No one else will make you do anything in life besides you. You are the one who has to rise above everything. 

You have to be able to take what the world does and do your best to learn and move on. Not every day is going to be easy. Not every situation is going to be desirable. 

But when that happens you have to remember you are just building your strength. Whether it’s physical, mental, emotional or professional, you are growing. Don’t let it bring you down.

It is exciting to finally be able to make your own choices and start figuring out the next step in your life, but it can be very difficult to know you are responsible for your choices. 

You are the one who picks the colleges you apply to and attend. You are the one who is responsible for what jobs you apply for and take. 

You are really and truly responsible for the next step in your life and that can be tough to swallow. 

But remember, even though some of the choices are extremely hard, you are doing your absolute best. You are giving your future everything you got. 

Yes, some days are going to be harder than others. Yes, some people are going to have to leave your life for you to grow. Yes, you are responsible for your actions. 

But with all that said you are the one who is succeeding, trying and making your own way in the world. 

Be proud of the tough choices you’re making. Be proud of getting through the tough days. Be proud of yourself.