The words 'Tenet Nosce' are engraved in thick 'Old English' style letters on my friend's back. The phrase is a Latin proverb that means 'know thyself.' At 19, I thought my friend's tattoo was deep and profound.
And I still do today. Unlike most tattoos, this one packed a punch because it really meant something. Everything about it from the 'New York Times' style lettering to the message that begged an explanation was unique and demanded respect. Amazingly enough, the mere presence of the tattoo forced me to contemplate life and myself.
I was in Costa Rica at the time, lounging on a quiet beach on the Pacific Coast, dusted in sand and basking in the sun. Staring at the tattoo, I found myself oddly drawn to something I never would have normally found myself admiring. That day the tattoo left an impression on me that I try to carry with me every day.
At that moment I realized that I knew myself. As cliché as it sounds, moments like these don't happen every day, at least not to me. As if a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders, I felt a rush of confidence when it occurred to me that I was comfortable with who I was. I felt calm, collected and ready for anything.
I had just finished my freshman year at Penn State -- a year that truly defined the rest of my college experience and solidified any doubts I had about my future.
My freshman year I dove headfirst into everything that interested me. I studied biology, French, anthropology, art, philosophy, calculus and, of course, journalism, and I took part in as many activities as I had time for. Freshman year was truly a trial period for everything. And it should be. I was lucky because I knew what I wanted to do while I was at Penn State.
But take it from me, if you don't try the things you want to now, you may never find out what you really want to do.
They say that you should 'find yourself' in college. More than anything else -- the degree, the clubs, the relationships -- you're supposed to come out of it enlightened about who you are. I'm not sure if 'finding myself' is really what I did. After all, I've always been the same person. But I like to think that after four years at Penn State, I'm a better person.
There's a quote by the playwright George Bernard Shaw that says: "Life isn't about finding yourself; it's about creating yourself." I'd have to agree.
I've molded myself into a better educated, more open-minded and more inspired person here. I haven't found myself, but I've created myself by pursuing all of my crazy idealistic dreams.
Today, I'd say I'm fairly confident about who I am as a person, and college has helped me reach this point. The realization that I have no doubts about who I am and what I want out of life is especially comforting now that I'm about to graduate and everything is about to change.
As I contemplate my future, even without a guaranteed steady job, internship or graduate school waiting for me, I'm not scared about what will happen next because I know I'll be ready to take it on. In fact, I'm excited about my future and all of the options that lie ahead of me.
The best advice I have to give to anyone at Penn State is to tackle your fears head-on and pursue anything and everything you're interested in now, while you have the chance. I hope that everyone here gets to have their moment in the sand -- a chance to reflect and recognize yourself and your potential.
Penn State is the perfect place to explore your interests and open your mind, so remember that the next time you're indecisive and unsure.
If you can't find what you're looking for, create it, and create a better you.
