As children we imagine we will have our lives figured out by the time we go to college. We think we will know what school we will attend, what we will study and what career path we plan to pursue. In reality, many of us have or are currently struggling with these questions and the decision gets more difficult with each passing day, semester and year.
In an effort to answer these sorts of questions, we seek out the job we hope to have, choose majors that prepare us for that job and then work all throughout college studying and gaining experience to be successful at that job.
Unfortunately, we only have the end goal in mind and rarely step away from that goal to explore our passions and even the subjects that pique 
our interest.
We all are passionate about 
something, whether it be art, music, sports, equality, but few students pursue their passions while at the University. Even fewer get involved in areas unrelated to the future career they have for themselves. College gives you the opportunity to explore your passions and can allow you to discover your purpose. The University presents its students with so many ways to get involved. Getting involved with student organizations, volunteering within the community and even attending a reading group with like-minded individuals counts 
as involvement.
We all ask ourselves what our specific purpose is in life. We dream about the impact we will make by using the gifts and talents given to us in an area that we show promise in. The problem with that is there are barriers preventing us from reaching our full potential and ultimately realizing and fulfilling our purpose. These barriers can be societal but can also be put into place by ourselves. We find our purpose in different ways but sometimes finding that purpose means facing rejection. Rejection, or even the fear of not living up to the standards placed on yourself or by others, keeps many students from taking a leap of faith that will allow for them to grow as a person. Rejection is scary, I know, but it also necessary to face. You get to choose whether you let a disappointment or challenge prevent you from reaching your goal or from discovering your purpose and passions. When one thing does not work out, do not let it get you down so much so that you decide to doubt the gifts and talents you have to make a difference in whatever area of interest to you.
Many students are so focused on attending college for a degree that they neglect their purpose. It’s fair to say the lines between a career and a life’s purpose are blurred. Your career or job does not have to achieve your purpose. While it would be nice for what you do everyday to be something you are passionate about, few people are lucky enough to experience this. Your purpose in life is determined when you use those talents given to you in a way that betters the lives of others and builds impenetrable community bonds. Of course, these are only examples.
Find the reason why you are on the planet and that passion burns so greatly that you will do anything to make a difference, then nothing will stop you, not even rejection 
or yourself.
What are you passionate about and what do you think you is your purpose? What are you doing to make fulfill it? Ask yourself these questions and do everything you can to explore and find meaning before your time at the University comes to an end.
Vel Lewis is a junior majoring in political science and public relations. Her column runs biweekly.
