Cartoon by Maegan Moore

We come to the end of another semester. For most it means another one ahead, filled with new classes, teachers, friends and experiences. For the others who walk across the stage next weekend, it means the end of an era, but the beginning of a new, and hopefully, exciting one. Whichever category you fall into does not matter; one thing is inevitable: change.
This change could come in many forms and fashions. It could come from a new friend, a new mentor, a new house, a new roommate or even a new school for some. Wherever this change stems from is not the point. The point is there are two ways to handle change: 1) put a barrier between you and that change and stay content with the life you have or 2) embrace the change and walk down the uncharted road with an open mind and find out where it will take you. Stay in your comfort zone or step out.
We’re not going to lie, change can be a frightening prospect and can eventually backfire, but this should not deter you from going for it. Some of the best things come from unexpected places. Now, if you are comfortable with where you are, then more power to you, but we do urge you to do something outside the norm. We’re not condoning shaving your head Britney style and moving to Cuba, but why not try studying abroad, spending the summer in a different state or even volunteering somewhere? Do something to get out of the routine of everyday life.
Our nation is changing right in front of our eyes, and we have to learn to be open to it. This capacity depends on the ability to accept change in our own life. We have a new president. Proponents of same-sex marriage are making a push, and it is now legal in Vermont and Iowa, and quite possibly New York and Washington D.C. very soon. We have to be able to wrap our mind around the idea of change. Admit it or not, change is a part of life and odds are you already have been down that road.
Middle school to high school: change. High school to college: change. Dorms to apartment/house: change. 20-years-old to 21-years-old: change. “Single” on Facebook to “in a relationship” on Facebook: change that everyone knows about in 20 minutes. College to the workplace: change. So look back on those things and ask yourself if those changes, probably scary at first, were for the best. If the answer is yes, then look change in the eye and don’t blink. If the answer is no, then change your situation to a better one. It is that easy.
We, as college students, have a great advantage; we can change and mold ourselves very easily if we so choose. So our advice to you is to choose to do so. You never know what lies ahead for you, maybe bigger and better things, but you have to make the first step toward it yourself.

This editorial was written by Lee Johnson (gljohnson@valdosta.edu) and it expresses the opinion of the entire editorial staff.