After reading Plato’s text and understanding the meaning of the cave, I do feel as if currently I am emerging from a cave. Before starting college, I knew what major I wanted to choose but felt trapped in a sense. As college was approaching, I grew anxious.  I would often question myself as to my career path.  I feared that If I’m not able to pass college and get my major, that I would amount to nothing.   However, I could not just sit by as the world passed me by much like the prisoners in the cave.

Before college started, I had a workshop that I attended to prepare me for college. While it helped me make my first steps into understanding college a bit more, I was still scared of the future work load coming my way. I kept asking myself can I handle this major and do I have what it takes?   I was trapped in this thought of failure and it wouldn’t leave my mind similar to being chained to a cave.   I grew frustrated and I did not know what to do with myself.   As the weeks went on, I started to meet more of my fellow peers and teachers and make some new friends.  My anxiety started to calm down.  I started to learn more about my major and other areas I would have to study.  Knowing this, helped clear my mind of unwanted thoughts.  

Now that I know more about my major, it has opened new pathways for me.  This new found knowledge helped me to find new interest in things like other majors and even trade school.  It felt like a whole highway system was opened to me that leads to multiple futures similar to the opening of the cave.  As I walked through the halls of my college, I see people whose faces read as mine.  Confusion and anxiety are spelled all over their body.  As a matter of fact, during a pre-calculus class, I thought I was the only one confused.  However, when I looked around the classroom, I saw others having the same kind of difficulty.  This helped me realize that I was not alone and that some of us are facing the same problems. Seeing that others face the same kind of fear as I do, has helped me to understand that this is warranted.  The uncomfortable fear of the unknown is a legitimate feeling.  I have come to realize that college is about applying yourself.

I believe in myself and have a strong desire to learn.  This is what will guide me into my future.  It may not be easy but the end result will be worth the pain.  I will welcome it with body and soul.  The way I have thought about college has shifted.  I have seen the light of the sun which brightens my path.  When I am given work to do, I don’t see it as just some work, I see it as a step toward my major.  This is what has fueled my desire and passion.