I am young. I am only 22 years old. I may be one of the oldest on campus in regards to students, but I have a lot of future a head of me, the LORD willing. One of my first Dordt Life blog posts was on why I chose Dordt over a big, public university. I reflected on how panicked I was about the decision and how daunting of a process it was to make that decision at the age of 18. A mere child. Well, guess what. I am still a mere child heading to a bigger and scarier future. Instead of college applications surrounding me job applications are surrounding me. Instead of choosing a small school or a big school I am choosing to live in a small town or a big city. I can list the parallels all day, but I think the point has been made.
I am hopeful. I am hoping that similar situations proceed the decisions made as well. I questioned my decision after I moved to Dordt, but I quickly found my home at Dordt and I wouldn’t have traded my experience for the world. I am only a few weeks away from walking across the stage of the B.J. Haan Auditorium and joining my fellow class of 2017 in receiving our diploma. Thinking that four years ago I was receiving my high school diploma. It is one of those things that seemed to take forever, but also college seemed to fly by too quickly.
I am finished. I am finished with my degree. As of right now I am finished with my major, emphasis and minor. I only have a few core classes standing in my way from getting my diploma. Now, the next step is to find a job and actually become an adult that my age legally makes me. It is scary, stressful, and all of the above just like it was four years ago. Four years ago I didn’t think I was ready. I questioned whether I would be able to handle college. But hey, look at me now! I made it, and I thrived.
I am ready. I am ready to go out into the “real world.” I am ready because Dordt prepared me, challenged me, and equipped me to leave Dordt and make a difference in the world. I may have my doubts, but I had my doubts when choosing to go to college in the first place. When looking towards the future I often look at those who did it before me and see how they are doing. That is half the reason we visit colleges is to see how the students are doing already. I need to look at those who graduated before me and see what they did and how they are doing. Let me tell you. They're doing just fine.
I am more. If you don’t believe me check out the More after Dordt website. It talks all about the class of 2016 and how successful they have been. The fact that 98.9% of them reported getting a job or continued in education by the end of the 2016 is insane. Not many schools can claim this feat. This also takes my fears and doubts, and battles it with hope and courage. I add this to the list of why it was a good decision that I chose Dordt, and even gives me excitement for what the future will hold because I am a Dordt grad, because there is truly more at Dordt.
- Luke