Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

Abraham Lincoln was not only a president; he was a visionary. He understood that time-tested virtues would withstand innate doubt that could unhinge the human psyche. His powerful rhetoric is not just applicable to certain situations; its hidden truths apply to greater moral dilemmas all of mankind inherently faces.

College is a time to explore and discover where exactly that right place exists. 

Undeniably, it’s hard to stand firm when you do not know what is right and what is wrong. Be it we are given four years of nearly unlimited freedom to figure things out on our own, college is, as cliche as it sounds — what you make of it. And with that comes the opportunity to delve into the unknown.

What is the purpose of going to college?

A lingering curiosity consumed me. I went to a few friends of mine to get a feel for how exactly they thought. 

Sam confidently responded, “To get a good first job and to meet people for networking purposes.” 

Christian agreed, saying that “networking and building up your resume” were important factors in the college experience.

Doug too noted, “to get a high paying job” was the result of graduating college.

It all added up. There was a common belief held by these individuals, and many others, that college was a stepping-stone into the real world of getting a job. 

But, on a personal level I knew there was much more to these people. It couldn’t be that the diploma would define them — instead, it would be their passions. 

Sam values sports. Christian cares for his friends. Doug loves his family.

It’s at that point I slightly began to see the bigger picture that elders in my life have told me about. With over 1,000 RSOs and 42,000 students on this campus, it’s easy to forget how large our university is and how much this university truly offers. People might have a preconceived idea of what the purpose of college is, but it’s almost as if we are blindly thrown into this bubble we call “college.” We are told we must declare a major, select a profession and aggrandize our resume to the best of our abilities to get a good job. Yet an incessant fascination with the unknown is hard to shake. It’s what causes us to ask ourselves, “What if?”

But not acting on stirring interests can also prompt the question, “What if?” 

There must be fraudulent beliefs that rock our imagination, a pendulum of extremes if you will.

Is it fear? 

Maybe this feels like it’s an acceptable rationale. Fear is a figment of the imagination, magnified by feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty.

Is it improbability?

Maybe this seems to be a reasonable justification. Not every thing you set out to achieve may happen.

Or is it easy?

Maybe it is easier to fit in and go with the crowd rather than carve your own path. After all, everyone needs a team to support them on their journey. 

Certainly these reasons are not inexcusable. Four years is a waning window, filled with opportunity, clouded by only our dreamed deceit. Shouldn’t time in college drive us, propel us, rather than let us succumb to any shred of doubt? 

I asked my friend George what he cared about, what his interests were. He told me he was passionate about serving others, a clear indication of his dream to help. And he can help if he simply goes for it.

Another group of friends recently created their own RSO, Chief Investing Group, with the hopes of teaching students about the stock market and investing. Establishing this organization did not show they wanted to accrue more credentials, it showed their heart was in teaching these business principles to others, sharing what they had come to enjoy.

Whether it’s rock climbing or painting portraits, we as students have a prime opportunity to explore this unknown without the dire consequences. Which must have led me to joining The Daily Illini. I knew I loved writing, so I had to seek an outlet that would let me do so. It’s been the best decision I’ve made thus far because it is only now I can truly see the bigger picture with clarity. 

I haven’t quite found my right place. But every day I choose to defeat fear, realize what’s possible and dedicate myself to hard work, my stance emerges stronger, firmer. I welcome the prospect of change over the next few years because time is fleeting. It is now I will have to make the most of my time. It is now you should make the most of your time — you’ll never get it back again.

Imran is a sophomore in DGS. He can be reached at [email protected].