Everyone at some point in their life has had to start something new. Whether it be the beginning of school, starting a new job, or riding your bike down the street for the first time. It can be scary and nerve-wracking and for a long time I disliked change and new beginnings.
On the day I began college, my very first class was Calculus. I remember sitting in the classroom, having no idea what the professor was talking about and thinking that it was going to be a long four years. I soon found out that studying mechanical engineering wouldn’t be easy and I’d have to buckle down. My freshman year was spent mostly in the tutoring center, trying to figure out what a derivative is or how to use the kinematic equations. Attending college classes, living in a dorm, and being on my own was a significant change for me. Initially I refused to tolerate it. I would go home any chance I got or cry to my parents on the phone anytime they’d listen. My dad would tell me, “It takes six months to get used to something. Six months to figure out if you really like it or not.” And soon enough, I did start liking it. Schoolwork became easier, I made a new friend group, and I started getting involved on campus at the UMass Lowell radio station. (Isn’t it annoying when your parents are right?!)
Of course, just as I started to thoroughly enjoy and be comfortable with college, it was time to graduate. And more change – leaving behind school and starting a “big girl” job as an engineer. I knew that it would be an adjustment and have its challenges but thought I could approach the challenge with more wisdom this time. A new job meant taking on responsibilities and learning the steps it takes to complete tasks. At first, I felt the same confusion as I did in my Calculus class. However, the uncertainty eventually faded, and I’ve gotten the chance to learn about HVAC design, an area that I have been interested in since taking HVAC/R at my vocational high school.
There have been many times in my life that I wanted to resist change. It is human nature to avoid the unknown and what might bring you unease. But we are resilient and great at adapting. And most importantly, when we go through change and adapt to it, something beautiful happens. You learn or experience something new that changes the way you think and view the world. You’ll come out the other side having gained something… even if you did have a negative experience, even after giving it 6 months. You can usually look back and laugh and say that you did it, got through it, and learned a little something along the way. I feel like I’ve made my younger self very proud.