University has always been that place of hope, dreams and hopefully a symbol of change. For people who didn’t get around too much in high school, university often offers a path of escape into becoming someone different and doing something that actually matters to you. High school jocks will still go to unis to become jocks. Every party of the year will be attended because really that’s how we have all come to look at universities and colleges; the wild nights, Oktoberfest, costumes, beer contest and flings. The way it has always been portrayed in movies and series fills becomes assimilated in real life. Little did we know that this offers a path of escape too for troubled hearts. 

Each student has their own story and path to map out. From afar, when you see two students talking, what could be seen as a normal conversation could be the start of a beautiful friendship or maybe it was just something about the next social outing or maybe just about uni assignments. You never know. Sometimes we judge people too quickly and label them as we walked past. If you look close enough and beyond their appearances, you see affliction. You see a struggle within often not being told verbally or even action wise. It’s something you just have to observe yourself. Who really wants you to see them as vulnerable souls? Who really wants you to see them as weak beings?

We often lose sight of that and think that we ourselves have lots of problems and that people who always make jokes and keep laughing are normal fine people with no problems at all. Fact is they are not fine. There is just so much in life that we do not know about but we assume we do. Assumptions are often dangerous but it is also the way human brain works. We all are always going to be troubled by something whether it’s achievement, social or relationship wise. The trick is not to let it bother you but rather go through it with someone else. If it helps and it will, say a prayer too.

In the midst of tiredness and complacency, it’s easy to forget everything in life and just focus on yourself. You are right to do that. Sometimes, you do need a bit of time alone. When you are ready to go through it with someone, when you are ready to share your troubles with someone, go find them. There will always be someone out there. Don’t keep everything to yourself. Someone out there needs you the same way you need them. Chances are the friendships will become much stronger because of this.

A university is not a place of hopes and dreams. It is rather a journey you are going through. It is a path to learn your identity and hopefully understanding yourself better. It is a stage of life. You are at the age where you keep asking questions about yourself. University or college offers you that. Everything you learn in uni regarding the human heart, the moments and forces, probability or design is something you will definitely learn but remember the times with people where you thought they didn’t matter most or that you didn’t learn much. They might turn out to be the path of escape you need. The path to understand yourself and also to build friendships.