Change is an inescapable part of life. Change is not always fun. I, for one, am not a fan of it. As a Taurus, one of my most notable characteristics is that I do not like change. Unfortunately, I cannot control the events in my life.

As I dive into my senior year of college, there are many thoughts going through my head. I wake up at least every other morning wondering where I will be living at this time next year, what path I will take with my career, and so on. Relationships are changing and nothing is certain. I will not lie- this gives me a bout of anxiety.

While change is not always ideal, it is a necessary evil. Throughout my life, I have experienced a lot of change, good and bad. However, as I have grown older and matured, I have realized that it is essential to personal transformation. Before I embarked for my final year at Iona, my mom gave me a wooden sign for my room. It reads: “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.” This is my motto for the school year.

I have received a considerable amount of support, along with criticism, for my life choices. I am originally from Long Island; however, I have no desire to live my post-graduation life on the island. I have had relationships, some more significant than others, that I have ended for my own good. I travel spontaneously because I love to see the world and experience new things. Essentially, I am living my life for myself. Many would, and will, claim that this is selfish but that is not their place to say. I will only be this age once and I do not know what restrictions will come my way later on in life. My coping mechanism for dealing with change is embracing it to the best of my ability.

The world is full of opportunity. With opportunity comes change. At 21 years old, I realized that I am not as wise and experienced as my parents, per say. However, I have matured and I now understand that I need to break out of my comfort zone to achieve success.

The thought of graduating from college in less than a year is equally scary as it is exciting. This is a change that I am wary of. Iona, and New Rochelle, have become a home that I have come to love over the last three years. At the same time, I cannot live here forever. Many people ask me why I do not plan to apply to Iona for graduate school; my answer is that I do not want to continue to do what is comfortable.

Yes, it is scary to consider moving to a different state, or even region, of the country, but how will I ever know that I am meant to stay in New York for the rest of my life if I do not delve into something new? My uncle always tells me that the world is a plane ride away. With modern technology and travel, it is possible to maintain long distance relationships. If people are meant to stay in your life, they will. It sounds cliché but if things are meant to be, they will be.

Therefore, my best advice to my friends, Iona and beyond, is to embrace the change. No matter how intimidating it may be, it will shape you as a person. Life is never perfect or easy, but it is worth the ride.

To contact the Ionian’s Rebecca Riccardi, email her at [email protected].