I never knew one simple, insignificant question from a First Year Experience class could impact my decisions in such a great way. We talked about our names in the class — what they mean; where we come from; who we are; and who we will be in the future. Who will I be in the future? I sure didn’t think I would be at Kent State two years ago. I didn’t think I could patch up a family relationship, which was wounded for six years. I didn’t think my major would be in the field of journalism.

But that question made me think about myself as a postgraduate. Of course, everyone wants a happy family, stable job and loving home. But what more than that? I turned to my long-distance boyfriend of three and a half years, questioning his current decisions, and even decisions he hasn’t yet made. Where does he want to be? Do we both want the same things? Needless to say, my wondering mind caused us some grief that night.

His reaction surprised me. He responded with the same sentiment as before he left for college when I asked him where we would be down the road. He told me he doesn’t know what the future will hold. Any seemingly fleeting and insignificant matter could disrupt the life we live. It can change our lives and our future. We should enjoy now and hold it dearly, as tomorrow could change everything in an instant.

His words hold true. A year and a half ago, I was striving to work as an animator for Pixar, a dream I have been clinging to since junior year of high school. During my time in a university in Philadelphia, it was clear to see what was important to me. Art was not a passion, but a hobby. Life in Cleveland beat life in Philly. Love is more important than success.

So here I am, a journalism major at a university I hadn’t even considered a year ago. A university that I am surely falling in love with and a major that is giving me much in return. The new life I started this semester is one that took me by surprise, and one that was well worth the wait.

I don’t know where I will be in the future. It is something we can’t come close to predicting. It is something not to fret about, but something to look forward to. We live in a world of constant change fueled by seemingly minuscule choices we make everyday. In the words of Mrs. Potts from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cheer up child. It’ll turn out all right in the end. You’ll see.”

Contact Julie Selby at [email protected]..