With graduation only two months away, many seniors may be experiencing an overwhelming sense of panic. In disbelief that graduation is just around the corner, seniors are faced with substantial opportunities.

They have choices that will greatly impact the next chapter of their lives. The question is, how will you approach the next step?

Growing up in America, we are told to work hard, follow the rules, get good grades, go to college and success will follow. As a former high school slacker, I decided to follow the straight line towards success when TCU gave me my “second chance.”

I feared failure as I embarked on my college journey, and I didn’t want to regret my efforts when I reached the next monumental point in my life. Unfortunately, this way of approaching academia and “success” was unfulfilling, and somewhere in the last four years I decided I didn’t want to be a cog in the American “dream machine” anymore.

I took a sharp turn and started to find myself again. When did I start working toward a dream that wasn’t mine?

In recent months, it has come to my attention that far too many Americans decide to follow the “rules” in hopes of finding the perfect job after college. It can be inferred that many people decided not to take risks after being criticized for aiming for something a bit out of reach.

Or maybe it is because they were told to act or dress a certain way in interviews. Regardless of the reason, it seems to be that many university students are unable to see that this path is stifling them from exceeding their own expectations. Every student should believe in themselves enough to at least attempt a frightening challenge because there is nothing to lose; “failure” is merely settling for mediocrity.

Our generation has been fortunate enough to witness some of the most incredible developments of all time. Developments in technology occurred based off of great risks and great relationships.

The people we encounter have more of an impact on us than we are first aware. As scary as it may be, attempt to achieve your real dreams, not the dreams other people have created for you. Take a leap of faith, and I guarantee you that you will be changed for the better.

And even if you aren’t, someone else might be. Small efforts are far from failures. They have contributed to a larger conversation, and whether it’s visible or not, someone somewhere was impacted.

No one should determine what we are capable of because most of us are far more than what’s reflected.

Allison Branca is a senior strategic communication major from Houston.