High school graduation has passed, and the caps have been tossed. As summer comes to a close, a new journey quickly comes into being: the vast new world of college.

High school graduates are now making the transition. The aspirations that each of us hold identify us, but they also bind us closely together in this new, unknown world. It is in this world that I hope to forge a path toward a greater future while making the most of these next four years.

From late-night studying to classes filled with lots of people, we each form our own ideas of college before we even walk through the doors.

I see college as a combination of many things: pulling all-nighters, parting from old friends and finding new friends, challenging but fun classes and the complete change of scenery. No more of the same eight-hour school days that we grow so accustomed to in high school, but that’s what makes college life seem so inviting and so nerve-wracking at the same time.

I say college life is both inviting and nerve-wracking because of the excitement of being on your own, but that’s the hardest thing.

Though I am only 10 minutes from my home, it is still as though I am moving out into the world for good. Even if you are a commuter, life on campus is a big change from high school and what you were used to.

Now, college is upon us, and the work will soon pile on. I say, bring it. With all of the work, I get one step closer to achieving my dream.

Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a music major. Music has played a tremendous part in my life, and I am most excited that I will be able to identify my skills, sharpen them and learn new things so that I may become an even better musician by the time I graduate.

As we each move through our college years, we have things we want to accomplish and things we hope to achieve before we graduate. It is a bucket list of sorts.

As the days pass, we slowly check off some of the tasks that we have achieved that start off being fairly easy, such as making friends and passing a test.

But then, the tasks get more difficult as we find confidence in ourselves. I hope to one day perform on the piano in front of a packed hall. I want to take a class that I never thought I would. And I especially want to break out of my shell of shyness that is slowly being chipped away, but is still very present.

So here’s to the all-nighters and new times. Here’s to the expectations that we all hope to live up to as we start this year. And here’s to you; make the best of this year and all the ones that follow.

Andrew Fath can be reached at [email protected]