Crossroads Ahead

As I sat in my college hostel room, surrounded by half-packed bags and fading memories, one question loomed large in my mind: What’s next?

The final semester had been a whirlwind of activity — assignments, exams, placement interviews, and a never-ending stream of goodbyes. Many of my friends seemed to have it all figured out. Some were preparing for MS degrees abroad, others had locked in high-paying jobs, and a few were gearing up for MBA entrance exams. Then there was me — standing at the crossroads, unsure which road to take.

The Weight of Expectations

Growing up, I wasn’t particularly extraordinary at anything. I was good in academics but never the topper. I played basketball but never made it to the starting lineup. My parents supported me through every endeavor, and my dad often told me, “Just give it your best.” His only real ask was for me to get into IIT — a dream I couldn’t fulfill.

When I got into a decent university instead, I thought I’d finally figure out my path. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Over four years, I dabbled in everything — software engineering, photography, entrepreneurship, writing, even organizing trips for my batchmates. I enjoyed it all, but I never mastered anything. Jack of all trades, master of none — that was me.

As the end of college drew closer, I couldn’t shake the fear that I was only “70% good” at everything I tried.

The Search for Purpose

For a long time, I thought purpose meant finding that one thing I could excel at. But the truth is, not everyone is born knowing their passion. Some of us are explorers, and that’s okay.

Exploring the North during my college years was one of the most fulfilling things I did. From spontaneous road trips to snow-capped mountains to discovering hidden cafés, these journeys taught me something crucial: the best experiences are rarely planned.

In the same way, maybe life doesn’t need a strict roadmap. Maybe it’s okay to let curiosity guide you instead of pressure.

The 1% Idea

One of the ideas that stuck with me during my minor in entrepreneurship was this: You don’t need a 100% foolproof plan. You just need 1% clarity and the courage to take the first step.

Whether it was planning trips for 70 people or picking up photography as a hobby, I realized that most of the things I enjoyed started with small, imperfect steps. Writing this article is one of those steps. I don’t know if I’ll ever be a writer, but sharing my story feels like the right move today.

The Road Ahead: Six Months to Shape a Lifetime

I still have a lot to learn, and with six months until graduation, I’m starting to see this time not as a countdown, but as an opportunity. It’s a window to experiment, to reflect, and to build something — anything — that feels meaningful. For the first time, I’m trying to shift my focus from fearing uncertainty to embracing it.

Small Goals, Big Lessons

I’ve started setting small, actionable goals — things that excite me, even if they seem trivial in the grand scheme. Maybe I’ll finish a short photography project documenting the streets of this city I’ve come to call home. Maybe I’ll write a blog post every week, sharing random musings like this one. Or maybe I’ll finally dive deeper into coding, building that half-baked app idea I sketched out last semester.

These are small steps, but they feel manageable. And who knows? Perhaps one of them will lead to something bigger.

Redefining Success

I’ve realized that success doesn’t have to mean following a straight path or achieving society’s definition of “greatness.” For me, it might look like creating something meaningful, finding joy in everyday moments, or simply becoming more confident in navigating life’s twists and turns.

I’ve stopped comparing myself to the peers who seem to have it all figured out. Everyone’s journey is different, and what works for them might not work for me — and that’s perfectly fine. Life isn’t a race; it’s more like a hike. Some paths are steep and direct, others winding and scenic, but they all lead somewhere worthwhile.

The Fear is Still There

Don’t get me wrong — uncertainty is still scary. The idea of walking into the unknown without a clear map feels daunting. But I’ve come to accept that fear is just part of the process. It’s not about erasing it; it’s about walking forward despite it.

There will be moments of doubt, and days when nothing seems to make sense. But there will also be moments of clarity — those small sparks that remind me why I started.

The Final Lap

As I approach the finish line of college, I don’t want to rush through it in a haze of “what ifs.” I want to savor these six months — every late-night conversation, every adventure, every setback that teaches me something new.

And when graduation day finally comes, I may not have a concrete answer to “What’s next?” But I’ll know this: I’ve embraced the journey, explored my curiosities, and taken those small, meaningful steps. That’s enough for now.

The road ahead is wide open, and for the first time, that excites me more than it scares me.