Wilson 1 Andrew Whittington Moreau First Year Experience 1 December 2021 Finding Meaning in the Struggles of College This past semester in Moreau has caused me to examine many implications throughout my life and more specifically my time spent in college. While many of us go into various endeavors expecting certain outcomes, sometimes it does not turn out the way we initially perceive. Speaking on behalf of myself, I know that I had many concerns over this past summer as the idea of college creeped closer and closer while the months quickly passed. The most important concern to me at the time was my image. How would I portray myself to all of the new people I have yet to meet? Will I act “too cool for school?” Will I stay true to myself and my academic passions? I fully embraced these words from Billy Joel: “I’ve gotta get it right the first time that’s the main thing...you get it right the next time that’s not the same thing.” It seems that first impressions are so important, and I was worried how I would be perceived by others. However, after spending a semester here, I can say with complete certainty that this is not the case. These concerns as well as others have been answered while I continue to grow both mentally and emotionally. First, I have realized that people will accept me for who I am. I do not have to wear the mask of a stranger, but instead I can welcome my true self. Although I understand this now, I certainly felt some imposter syndrome even before I first stepped on campus. When I initially opened my acceptance letter to Notre Dame I would be lying if I said I was not surprised by the result. I thought it must have been a mistake and was worried that I would not be up to par with Wilson 2 my fellow classmates. However, the following quote sums up what I had yet to realize: “People who are highly skilled or accomplished tend to think others are just as skilled” (“What is Imposter Syndrome?” by Elizabeth Cox – Moreau FYE Week Nine). As I look to the future, I have come to terms with the fact that as long as I put in maximum effort then I cannot be mad at myself for failing. While this is much easier said than done, I attempt to live by this mantra as my life continues. Another way that I have grown as a result of Notre Dame is by embracing the following: “There is beauty in brokenness” (“Women Find Healing Through Kintsugi Workshop by Grotto – Moreau FYE Week Ten). I find this five-word sentence simple yet powerful. It provides hope for all. You can always climb back up the ladder regardless of the size of the fall. I intend on taking this mindset into my future and apply it to both myself and others as it preaches great forgiveness. In times of trouble, it can be hard to forgive others, but seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is important to exoneration. As I encounter more and more hardships the importance of forgiveness becomes evermore clearer. Only when we can forgive both ourself and others can we learn from our mistakes and grow to become a larger person than we were before the pitfall. Throughout the many encounters in my life I have come to realize, “I need other people for comfort, encouragement, and support, and for criticism, challenge, and collaboration” (“Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community” by Parker J. Palmer – Moreau FYE Week Eleven). More specifically, this quote reminded me of something that my father commonly told me while I was in my youth. He reminded me that at some point in my life I will be at my worst. Everything will seem to be going wrong with no light at the end of the tunnel. This may be catalyzed by a death in the family or some professional failure; however, it will occur at some point. He said that in this time I will look to religion for answers and that this is when the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo&ab_channel=TED-Ed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQUxL4Jm1Lo&ab_channel=TED-Ed https://grottonetwork.com/make-an-impact/heal/find-healing-through-kintsugi-art/ http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/ Wilson 3 religious community is in fully effect. Although we seek community in rough times, it is still important to understand that community is not a given but rather a gift. This was certainly something I took for granted before attending Notre Dame, and I hope to never lose sight of the value of the Catholic Church again. After recently reading a chapter of C.S. Lewis’s “The Screwtape Letters” presented in Moreau, I believe that his teachings also pertain to the topic of responding to encounters. In this novel he states, “Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys” (“The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis” – Moreau FYE Week Twelve). The religious satire with a sly and ironic portrayal of human life provides both hope and inspiration to the religious community as well as those in great despair. It shows that even in the most confusing times we can still look to God for help and grace. I believe that it is in times of great distress that our hope grows. Although some believers are forever lost in times of inexplainable suffering, those who stick with their beliefs and intents come out even stronger due to the power of hope. In conclusion, by reflecting on my past I have learned how I should correctly pursue the future. In realizing the importance of my own self value, the forgiveness of others, the support of religious communities, and the hope presented by the Church, I have truly been enlightened by learning from my previous encounters. Although the topics I touched on in this essay were some of the most valuable lessons I have learned during this semester, Moreau has instilled many other life lessons that I will take with me as my journey through both college and the rest of my life continues. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZerkhIHWAoF2sG9s8dJsrjg7FboUjG8C/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZerkhIHWAoF2sG9s8dJsrjg7FboUjG8C/view?usp=sharing