The Rocket Years
- Gianna Marie Forbis
- Jun 15, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 16, 2020
As part of my graduation present, a friend of my mom's, who I consider to be one of the wisest women I have ever known, gifted me a book that changed my life forever. "The Rocket Years" by Elizabeth Segran, a book full of knowledge and wisdom that is so beautifully executed about a person's twenties and how important they are for development and self love, has helped me develop a bit of foresight as I go into college. Most go to a university and think about participating in the party scene, frat/sorority life, and the worst hangovers ever. Now, not all fraternities and sororities are bad, but movies, books, and media have presented them as "free hookup" central. For me, I am trying to exit college the same way I enter it. Now, I do not mean exiting as the same person with the same maturity level, because my prominent goal in life has always been to keep growing, maturing, and developing a better lifestyle. I want to exit college with the same mindset that I hope to walk in with. A good friend of mine, Roger Lush, fulfills my outlook for college into perfectly said words.
"Gianna, be true to yourself and you will never second guess a thing."
Me, an over-thinker to the max, was filled with overwhelming peace when he sent me that text. I honestly might write it on a piece of paper and stick it to my dorm room ceiling because it has changed my outlook so much. I like to say to myself,
"You know who you are. You know your morals, thoughts, values, and what pulls your heart strings. You don't need to experience drinking, drugs, or whatever else is in college in order to 'find out who you are.'
I think Rupi Kaur says it best when he writes,
"What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she has already had everything she needs within herself. It is the world that convinced her she did not."
How true is that!!! I am excited for my "rocket years," but I am more excited to find out things about me that I still do not know. The things buried deep inside of me that I have yet to discover. College is just a smidgen of that discovery.
Each year I reevaluate my personal Guiding Principles along with assessing where I am spending time most advantageously - What are the people, places, and things that energize me? And which need to go by the wayside?
Live by values that guide the life you want to achieve and reassess as life evolves.
Develop a vision of what you want to achieve 1 year from now, 5 years, and 10 years. This will help you develop a strategy and action-oriented goals. Most people overestimate what they can do in a year, but drastically underestimate what they can do in 5 to 10 years.
Lastly, most opportunities in life are disguised by casual, everyday interactions. Keep an open eye and an…