Way to go, you’re heading off to college, so proud of you! It’s one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. The experience will shape your personal identity and set you up for a promising, rewarding life.
As a member of UNH’s Sustainability Advisory Board, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Gen Z for years. I’ve watched presentations, judged their work, heard about their hopes and dreams and learned many new things. Gotta tell ya, I’m blown away by your generation’s brainpower, values and zeal to make a difference. In a time of so much doom and gloom, my hopefulness about the future comes from you.
As you enter one of the most exciting and meaningful stages of your life, put yourself out there. Share yourself with your new community. Say YES much more than you say no.
Remain hopeful, positive and optimistic. The positive energy you release into the universe is felt by others, comes back, makes us whole and gets us – and others – to new places.
A cool thing to to keep in mind is that your many of your core personal values are mirrored by your own generation. It may not be obvious right away, but you’ll be surrounded by students with similar mindsets and priorities. This includes wanting to make our world a better place. Take the time to shape a purposeful life by helping others and our planet. It will center you, give your life meaning and always enrich you.
While your college years will be an epic experience, you’ll inevitably face your own set of challenges along the way. Everyone does. Believe in yourself, in the power and promise of who you are. Don’t envy or compare yourself to others. Don’t create false realities. You already have everything you need to succeed.
A key word of advice throughout your life’s journey: trust your gut feel. Listen carefully to the little voice inside, the one we often choose to ignore in favor of facts and rational thought. Our gut feel always speaks the truth.
Once you settle in with your new community of friends, you’ll think about clubs and organizations to join. Good! This is important! Find causes and organizations that feed your soul. For me, my connections with WUNH Radio exposed me to new ways of thinking, new friends, new experiences and got me to new places. Get involved, these experiences will become some of your best college memories.
The following quote from George Bernard Shaw always resonated with me:
People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.”
In other words, work hard to manifest the life vision you want to create for yourself. Don’t wait for things to magically happen (they hardly ever do). Be a person of action. Work hard, shape your own dreams and work hard to make them a reality,. No one owes you anything. It’s up to you!
As you entertain summer internships (and later on, your first job), do yourself a massive favor and seek out organizations rooted in a Triple Bottom Line philosophy – People, Planet and Profit. You’ll enjoy working for them because they authentically care about their people, health and wellness, communities and environment. They work hard to do the right thing. When you’re part of an organization defined by head and heart, magic happens.
I always loved the following quote from Mark Twain; it was on my Beaupre & Company office wall for 30+ years: “Thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does the work.” In other words, it’s not about making lots of noise, it’s about action, walking the talk and ultimately, it’s about the impact you make.
Go forth, seize the day and change the world. Remember, you already have everything to make this your reality. Have fun, get out there and enjoy some of the best days of your entire life.
Here’s to creating an epic life. Love you, proud of you.