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The Daily Tar Heel

Guest Column: Do you, boo

Izzy Francke

Izzy Francke

T here’s still so much I don’t know about UNC. For example, Why is it “Die” Hall? What does preacher Gary eat? Or how is Pita Pit STILL open?

However, if there’s one thing I wish I’d known earlier it would be not to let fear control my decisions.

I would be lying if I said that as a senior I have learned to completely throw away fear and take every opportunity that interests me wholeheartedly. I doubt that this is possible even as a senior citizen, and I’m certain I’ll be working on it my entire life.

I have, however, learned not to worry so much about what other people think and not to let fear define my choices. I don’t mean that you should shut people out and,of course, it can be valuable to consult those you trust when faced with decisions.

What I mean is that you shouldn’t avoid doing something you are passionate about or just interested in for fear of judgment, failure or because you’re scared of how it might change you. This may seem obvious, but there are countless times I worry unnecessarily about what or who I am becoming in relation to others! It’s normal, but I urge you to both acknowledge and fight it!

It’s equal parts scary and liberating to know there’s no one “correct” path, so please don’t fret about “getting it perfect.” Try things. Do you. Celebrate yo’self. Your true friends, your parents, your professors, your pets and the UNC community can handle it. Hell, they’ll probably celebrate you too.

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