College Advice: To the Class of 2019

Yanira Matute
PrideTime Editor 

The time is quickly approaching for high school seniors to decide what college they’ll be attending for the next few years. For most, their decision is pretty much set. But others may be second guessing their decision. Senior Jackie Molina had her mind set on attending college in Texas, where she’ll be close to her aunt and cousin, but as the time is getting near, thoughts consume her mind.

Although she will be deciding to head to Texas for school, there are things in Norwalk that she will leaving behind. Like most incoming college students or teens in general, leaving their hometown is difficult. However, the idea of a fresh new start sounds exhilarating. A new start means leaving old friends, something Molina isn’t fully prepared to do. When asked what she will miss most about Norwalk, she says, “being able to hangout with my friends and going to places I’m really familiar with like restaurants and the movies.”

She doesn’t hate the idea of going to Texas, though. She is mostly excited to get away from the cold the north offers and see new places. The good news is that she won’t be alone. She will be with family to help her adjust to her new lifestyle. The future might hold a spot for Molina in the business/marketing field. “It’s something that interests me,” she says.

For anyone that is moving far for college, the number one advice anyone can offer you is to not be nervous/scared. At first, the experience might be a little scary and you may have difficulty adjusting but after a while, it’ll be smooth sailing from there. Molina will be missing her friends so another advice is to keep in close contact with your loved ones. Busy schedules may get in the way of the amount of contact you have with one another but try to squeeze in a call every now and then to catch up.

The final advice I can offer is to have fun. You’re only young once and like high school, 4 years go by quickly. If you were shy in high school, try to get out of your comfort zone. Of course, I’m not saying “Go wild,” but experience new things.

To the Class of 2019:
Good luck! The future holds nothing but great things for all of us. Life’s what you make it, that’s what Hannah Montana says anyway. Have fun and make your experience worth it.