Three years later, I still don’t have an exact answer
By Dylan Pichnarcik Editor-in-Chief “So, what are your plans after graduation?” It’s the age-old question everyone always asks. It starts in high school. Just as you're headed off to college for the first time. Then, once you arrive, people's interests change to what you’re studying, how your classes are going, maybe even if you have a partner. But then, just when you’re getting comfortable, you’re forced to decide what's next. It’s an innocent question - no one means harm when they ask, but if you ask most undergrads on the threshold of completing their degree, they might not have a clear picture. For me, I resort to a half-hearted chuckle, a shrug of the shoulders, and a simple, “Not sure just yet, but I’m figuring it out.” As much as I pretend it’s not true, my time as an undergraduate student is coming to a close, which is scary. Three years ago, I hoped by now I’d have a clear direction, but I find myself at a crossroads. Do I move on from Framingham State and settle into a career? Is graduate school the right option? Perhaps the most frustrating part is that I don't have a clear answer to either question. I’ve spent the last three years working toward a degree, gaining experience, and trying to prepare myself for the so-called real world. Yet, somehow, the closer I get to graduation, the less certain I feel about what comes next. I’ve felt an unspoken expectation that by the time you reach your senior year, you should know what comes next. You should know what career you want, where you want to live, and what the next chapter of your life is supposed to look like. After all, isn't that what I was supposed to be working toward over the last three years? Yet, the more I think about this question, the more I think I'm looking for an answer I just wasn’t meant to find. I've spent so much time worrying about what comes after graduation that I've overlooked what these past three years have already taught me. The point of college was never to leave with every step of my future mapped out. It was to give me the tools to figure things out along the way. Even though these lessons manifested in 10-page literary criticisms, lab reports, and art projects, taking courses at Framingham State allowed me to learn about myself and about others in a nurturing environment. Framingham State has been a wonderful place to live, work, and learn - that’s the saddest part. I’ve grown to love this community so much, and I’ve been inspired by so many people. I’m sure many students have felt the genuine passion that comes from being a student or employee at FSU and find it hard to leave. I don't think I am alone in feeling this way. I imagine there are plenty of students at Framingham State who, like me, are excited to graduate but apprehensive about what comes after. We spend so much time anticipating this milestone that we rarely stop to consider how strange it feels to approach the end of something familiar without knowing exactly what will replace it. What I do know is that Framingham State has given me the skills to move forward and be prepared for whatever comes next. When I first arrived at Framingham State, I had my own expectations of what college would look like. I knew I'd take classes, earn a degree, and hopefully find a career that I loved. What I didn't anticipate was just how much I'd learn outside the classroom, or how many experiences would challenge me to become a more confident, capable, and independent person. Through my classes, I've learned how to think critically, communicate effectively, and approach unfamiliar ideas with an open mind. I've learned that growth comes from putting yourself in situations where you aren't entirely sure what you're doing. Not every experience has gone according to plan. There have been moments of uncertainty, difficult decisions, and times when I've had to learn as I go. But looking back, those are the experiences that have helped me grow the most. In many ways, this is what Framingham State prepared me for. The University has given me opportunities to discover what I'm passionate about, explore what I'm capable of, and learn from the people around me. It has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and shown me that I can accomplish more than I might have initially thought possible. So, I’m glad I don’t have an answer, but I know I’m ready for anything.
