Returning to Statesboro
So, I’m finally back in Statesboro. At 24 years old, I’m stepping into my last year of university. I’m currently a Public Relations major with a minor in Sports Management, and if everything had gone the way I originally planned, I would’ve graduated in May of 2023. Instead, here I am, two years later, writing this with a much clearer vision of who I am, where I’m going, and what I want out of life.
The truth? My journey here hasn’t been smooth. I’ve faced setbacks with mental health, struggled academically, chased distractions, and sometimes even forgot the reason I came to school in the first place: to graduate. I also took breaks in between, which stretched my timeline but gave me perspective. Through God’s grace, support from my family and friends, and a lot of self-reflection, I’m back on track. My goal is to walk across that stage in May 2026, diploma in hand, knowing I made my way here with prayer, discipline, and purpose.
And I’ll be straight up with you, I feel so behind. Most of my friends are living what I once thought was the “perfect timeline.” They graduated in four years (or less), some have gone back for their master’s, others are working in their fields, traveling, living in dreamy city apartments, and building careers. They did what society told us was the right way to do life: follow the timeline. And I’m honestly so proud of them.
For a long time, I felt like I was drowning in comparison. I obsessed over the timeline, graduate by this age, get married by that age, buy a house, have kids all by certain deadlines. When I didn’t meet those milestones, it felt like I was failing at life. I called it my “quarter-life crisis” even though in not 25 yet.
But here’s what I’ve learned: life isn’t a race, and everyone’s journey unfolds differently. The timeline doesn’t define me. My faith has taught me that God’s timing is always greater than my own. I’m learning to trust that this season of being “off-schedule” is actually part of my story. It’s building resilience, shaping my character, and reminding me that I’m exactly where I need to be, even if it doesn’t look like the picture I once painted.
So here I am, back in college at 24, walking familiar sidewalks but with a completely different mindset. It’s a little weird, like déjà vu but, nothing feels the same. Going into this year, I want to hold onto five reminders has I began this journey.
- God’s timing > my timeline.
- Delay does not mean denial. I’ve learned the hard way that being “off-schedule”. Sometimes what looks like a setback is really space to grow.
- Comparison steals joy.
- Their story is theirs & mine is mine. When I measure my life against someone else’s, I lose sight of the progress I’ve made. My path might look different, but it’s still leading me exactly where I need to go.
- Discomfort is not a red flag.
- Growth often feels unfamiliar, and that’s okay. Being uncomfortable is part of the process. The moments that feel awkward or challenging are usually the ones that end up shaping me the most.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Finishing assignments, finding peace, or simply showing up counts as progress. Success doesn’t only come in big, shiny milestones it builds in quiet, consistent steps.
- Document the journey.
- Capture the highs, the lows, and in-between moments because one day they’ll tell the full story of how far I’ve come. The missteps, the breakthroughs, the late nights matter, and all of it is proof that I kept going.
College Graduate, Coming May 2026,
The Modern Heir
Written: August 17, 2025
