Loss of Youth

Ditto JR's post on the subject, but here's what I want to share-

Today was the first day of orientation at university. I met a girl two years younger than myself, and we talked a lot. She's doing business, and has very clear dreams and goals for the future. When she heard me speaking of my dream/goals/future in such a reserved manner, she told me, "You're young, so it's the time to take risks. Not do it when you're too old."

Honestly, she was like me- when I just entered college and; was around her age right now- full of enthusiasm and burning with passion.

My dream house as a kid.

I realised that I've grown up. I used to have a vivid picture of my dream future, and was very, very determined to achieve it. 

I'm not saying that I don't have passion and enthusiasm anymore, neither am I saying that I've lost my dream. I merely realised: I no longer take risks blindly. I think so much more! I think about the possibilities, the possible outcomes, whether it's what I truly want in life, whether it's gonna do good to the society. I don't just think of myself and my own wild dreams anymore.

Regarding this girl I just met, when she talked about her plans and her dreams, a few senior students we met said, "Wow, she's so clear of what she wants! I hardly see juniors entering university with such a clear picture of what they want to do. Even now, we don't know what we are gonna do ourselves!"

I looked upon the conversation and thought: I was once in the girl's shoes, and when I was there, I used to think of the seniors as being aimless in life. And now, I feel the senior students' words. It's not that they don't have an aim- they probably had one when they just set foot onto university soil- but now, they don't see the future as naively as the younger students do anymore. 

Each step makes us a different person than before.

However, I hadn't said a thing about this to the girl I just met. I didn't want to spoil her dreams, because I- for one- didn't like it when the seniors said I was too naive and didn't believe in my extraordinary dreams. Also, because people are different. Our experiences make us different, think different, and act different. Who knows, she might be true to her goal and end up achieving it in the near future! 

Being a junior at university at this age has given me a brand new perspective to view things from. I'm no longer the young and naive kid, but I live among them; I'm no longer the junior burning with passion, whom the seniors look at with envious eyes, but I'm a newbie to them. 

A brand new experience, and I'm noticing, in a different way, that youth is fading away...

A gift from the seniors.

P.S
Was given a form to join the Student Council. While I have not gotten my timetable, but am expecting a very hectic uni life already, should I go out there and create more work for myself? I know I enjoy the sense of achievement I get from these sort of organisations(and being able to juggle between them and studies), but it's clear as well that I don't like living that way(being madly busy) for too long a period. 

Help me decide!