Continue walking around

I kept walking, letting myself wander without worrying about where I was supposed to be.

Every few minutes, I noticed something I’d never really paid attention to before—a little shop tucked away near the edge of campus, a courtyard I’d never sat in, groups of students hanging out in places I’d normally just walk past.

It was a weird feeling.

I had been on this campus for years, yet it suddenly felt like there was so much I’d never actually experienced.

I pulled the flyer from the church club out of my pocket and looked at it for a second before putting it away.

Maybe I’d go.

Maybe I wouldn’t.

Either way, I liked having the choice.

That was what had me excited.

Nobody was telling me where I needed to be tonight. I didn’t have to go back to the dorm because my roommates were doing something. I didn’t have to spend the evening studying. I could just make my own plans.

I checked my phone.

It was getting late enough that I was starting to feel hungry.

I looked around and noticed a small restaurant just off campus. I’d walked past it plenty of times but had never actually gone inside.

“Why not?”

I headed in.

I found a table near the window, ordered some food, and sat back while I waited.

As I looked out at the sidewalk, I couldn’t help but smile.

This was exactly what I’d been missing.

Not anything crazy.

Just being out.

Being able to decide what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go without feeling like I had to justify it.

My food arrived, and I dug in.

For the first time since arriving on campus, I wasn’t thinking about classes, assignments, or graduation.

I was just enjoying myself.

And sitting there alone, I realized something.

I was actually excited for this year.

Not because I knew what was going to happen.

Because I didn’t.

And for once, that uncertainty felt like an opportunity.