APU students discuss whether or not it is a good idea to have their futures completely planned
As the semester comes to its final weeks, many students, especially the seniors, are having different thoughts and feelings about the transitions that they have to confront and what is going to happen as they move forward.
Throughout this process, seniors are mostly concerned with what to do right after their graduation and how to best accomplish their goals.
Senior psychology major Ashley Barragan shared her post-graduation plans and her opinions on whether or not it is good for seniors to not to have everything planned after college before graduation day approaches.
“Honestly, I think that is totally understandable, they are at the time in life where they are still figuring out what to do and what direction they want to go in,” Barragan said.
“I feel like at this time they can really discover who they are, and they have that time over the summer and maybe the next year to discover what they want to do. I feel like they do not have to rush into getting an opportunity, because at the right time God will present that to them.”
Barragan expressed that there is no need to feel nervous or stressful about life after graduation, because as long as students have faith and obedience, God will guide them towards the right paths to travel for them.
Senior international relations major Julia Wygant agreed with Barragan.
“I think that it is totally okay not to have everything figured out after graduation. I still have no idea what will I do after graduation and I wish I did. It is fine, God has a plan and I am so ready for it and excited to see what’s next,” Wygant said.
Both soon-to-be grads value letting God’s will define their future endeavors, remaining open and ready for anything He may have for them.
Senior youth ministry and biblical studies double major Laura Atwater also declared her thoughts on how seniors should confront their lives after college and tackle plans for their future.
“I do not actually have everything figured out for after graduation either. Right now, I am looking into graduate school, applying to seminary and trying to decide on that. So, I think it is truly okay for seniors to not have a clear vision on what they want to do after graduation,” Atwater said.
Atwater continued, acknowledging the necessity of faith in such unclear times.
“I think that if we do have a clear vision, most of the time it will be changed or will not be what we actually think it is going to be. So, I think that it is completely okay if we do not have a full understanding about what’s next, but trusting in God and knowing that He has a plan and we are exactly where we are supposed to be,” Atwater said.
“I think that is an unfair expectation sometimes for college students, because college is such a new experience for them to know what is going on, and there are a lot of pressure in the outside community to know exactly what is happening.”
With the end of the school year around the corner, graduating seniors carry a lot of anticipations and plans of transitioning into the future and determining what to do with their lives and how to best accomplish their goals.
But in the midst of moving on, we should remember that there is a loving and faithful God who was, is and will always be right next to us every step of the way.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because He cares for you.”
May these Bible verses be a source of encouragement for APU students, especially graduating seniors, to take a deep breath and do everything one step at a time, as we are all moving on to new and exciting times. And while we still face some uncertainty, God has always known our needs and will provide and guide us through it all.