Choose to go Beyond

Exactly one year ago, I remember counting down the days like so many of my peers. Only two weeks of classes and a week of exams was all that was between me and the end of the semester. However, this time around, things were different. Many people did not understand (and some still do not), but that did not matter. The only important thing was that I understood. I finally felt in control of my own destiny, that I was being influenced by what I wanted to do in life, rather than what I had to do.

I made the decision to leave college just 22 credits away from graduating with a B.S in Biological Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh in order to take on the toughest University of all - real life. However, I was not alone, as I had three other very special individuals who had taken on the same aspirations as myself. It was definitely a risk choosing to take the road less traveled, dropping a path of certainty to tackle uncertain conditions. But exactly one year after, I can safely say that it was the best decision of my life.

All of us wish and desire to do that one or two things - whether it be chasing a passion or an unbelievable experience - but are forced to consider otherwise. Unfortunately, those things usually remain a dream. I still remember days sitting in my dorm room at the University of Pittsburgh mindlessly memorizing all the required content for an exam, unsure of when I was going to use any of the information learned. Or why I was learning what I was forced to learn, because I needed those "credits" to graduate. I had dreams (and pockets, for that matter) that were being crushed by the second. I wanted to be different, to be unique, to do something that was satisfying.

We live in a very exciting time. It is the day of innovation. Too many consider us to be the lazy generation. It is about time that this changes. In order to make change, you have to "shock" people. You need to take a stance and stick to it, no matter what the nay-sayers say. It is tough, but I guarantee you, that even in the most down times, you will be happier in the end - doing what you love, rather than what you are told to love.

So bottom line to all of my peers, choose to be human. Chase dreams and passions that you love. Unfortunately, too many of us are taught at a very young age to follow the path of mediocrity - to do things that others are doing, to conform. But, looking at the most successful individuals, they chose to consider otherwise. They chose to follow whatever dreams they had, to think big, to overcome whatever adversity that came their way. Who says that you can not do the same?

Please feel free to share your thoughts - we would love to hear your story as well!