High school has highlighted a path to a bright future. graphic by Laine Gaherty
As college approaches, I have begun to reflect on everything I have learned throughout high school while simultaneously building connections in preparation for my major.
Senior year is full of life-altering decisions that have the potential to determine the direction of one’s future. Despite the stressful steps that go into preparing for a life of independence, the idea of attending college has become progressively more exciting.
I decided to attend Colorado State University due to its location and campus lifestyle. I originally was set on majoring in Landscape Architecture (LA) due to the university’s impressive accredited program. I committed pretty early on and thought I had everything mostly figured out. It wasn’t until January that I started to dive deeper into other majors similar to Landscape Architecture. After researching the different design/architecture pathways, I started to question whether the Landscape Design and Contracting Concentration (LDC) within the Environmental Horticulture major was a better fit for me.
Despite my desire to be confident in the major I had chosen months before, I decided to meet up with individuals who graduated from both majors. With the help of my parents, I was able to reach out to the Chief Operating Officer at Lifescape Colorado, LeAnn Ostheimer. Lifescape Colorado is an award-winning firm that focuses on landscape architecture, design-build construction, and property maintenance. Ostheimer invited me to spectate at a Woman In Green event, which consisted of a gathering of over 100 women within the landscape architecture and design fields. I was able to talk to many recently-graduated CSU students within the LDC and LA major programs as well as experts who have been designing landscapes for many decades.
After asking them questions about their college experiences and careers, I decided to change my major to Environmental Horticulture with a concentration in landscape design and contracting due to its more creative and residential focus. Through this experience I have started to truly appreciate the value of making connections. I have learned that if you put yourself into the world you want to live in, people will want to help you. I continue to urge myself and others to pursue connections within their passions. I think individuals can reach great heights if they push themselves to find spaces dedicated to collaboration.
Throughout my college preparation I have started to look back on my high school experience. From my freshman year to my junior year I was simply going through the motions. As school days on the calendar dwindle, I have started to appreciate what I have gained throughout the past four years. I have met countless teachers, coaches, and classmates who have enhanced my academic and personal life. Previous to high school I never really understood the importance of different ideologies and ways of life. High school has opened my eyes to different cultures, backgrounds, and passions. I have met and befriended people with vastly different pasts, religions, political beliefs, and opinions. Despite everyone’s differences, all of my classmates are truly good individuals. I think once you give yourself the chance to get to know people you wouldn’t normally talk to, you reveal a valuable part of who you are. Growth stems from collaboration and throughout high school I have grown into a more educated and personable person.
Despite the occasional bleak moments in high school, I wholeheartedly believe that the past four years have given me the resources to thrive in a college setting. I believe that all of my classmates have the ability to succeed in whatever life they pursue, because they possess good hearts. A meaningful life is always plausible when open minds are plentiful and human compassion is the norm.
