By Lindsey Packer

From the moment she stepped onto the University of Arkansas campus as a freshman, Tess Jones carried with her a vision: post-graduation, she would leave her small hometown behind, chase success, and carve out a new life in Chicago, with a career as a lawyer. However, as she adjusted to life on her own for the first time, Jones began to recognize just how crucial her family had been to her sense of stability and support. Though her ambitions have largely remained unchanged since that first year, her understanding of how to reach them has evolved.

For some, the start of college comes with a crystal-clear plan for the future, but for many, the road ahead is less certain. The act of simply planning for the next day can feel overwhelming. And as we immerse ourselves in new experiences, who can say what surprises we’ll uncover about ourselves along the way?

Now a senior, Jones finds herself rethinking her path after graduation—her dreams no longer set in stone, but shifting, adapting to the person she’s becoming.

“I think [during] my Freshman year, I [wanted] to escape my hometown and be the person who leaves. I still want to go and do different things outside my hometown, but I am definitely more [focused on] how’s this going to affect my parents. I’m going to see my family as much as I need to, that is a lot more important,” says Tess Jones. 

So what are our dreams? It’s a question that can never be answered the same way twice. They’re a blend of wonder, mystery, and fantasy — imagined worlds we create in our minds, where we craft our own versions of a “happily ever after.” These worlds are fluid, shifting unpredictably, sometimes transforming completely over the course of our lives. The deeper question is: do your dreams shape who you become over time?

During these four years, you change as a person. Similarly, your dreams can evolve — sometimes subconsciously, sometimes in an instant. And the scary thing is, it’s not just your aspirations that change; your values, priorities, and even your sense of self can shift in unexpected ways. The people you surround yourself with during your freshman year may not be the same ones you spend your time with during your senior year.

Change can feel intimidating, but if we take a moment to look back at our younger selves, we will see the beauty in the process. Change can be both a remedy and a reflection of your next stepping stone in your journey. Wherever it might take you, it doesn’t have to be big for it to be transformative.

Senior Tess Jones shares how although her dreams have remained in the same general direction since freshman year, her perspective on them has evolved.

“I found a different path [within] the same field I want to work in but I think my values have stayed the same on who I am and what I want in people I want to surround myself with during and after college,” Jones explains that the past four years have made her more intentional in her approach now.

At the beginning of college, some of us have a clear vision of what we want to do for the rest of [our lives, but what about those who don’t? For some, planning for the next day can feel uneasy when starting. As we expose ourselves to new experiences, are we surprised by what we might discover? 

Initially, we might view our family as the ones who once supported us through everything, but now we’re out on our own. However, throughout college, Tess Jones has come to realize she relies on her family more than ever and has shifted her mentality that living near them might not be such a bad thing after all. 

On the other hand, unexpected changes can come from anywhere. They’re often the ones that hurt the most, yet we rarely put up a guard until it’s too late. It’s part of growing up, learning to “roll with the punches,” as they say. Even when it feels like everything around us is falling apart, it could be the universe’s way of signaling that there’s nothing left for us on that path, and we need to take a new direction.

After things shifted for Tess Jones within her circle of friends and Greek life, she gained a new perspective on friendship during these uncertain times. She reflects, “It put things into perspective about the friends I had freshman year, thinking they’d be my friends all the way to senior year.” While she lost touch with some of those relationships, she discovered “deeper connections” with others. 

As she watched the Chiefs vs. Bengals AFC Championship game her sophomore year, it hit her- she had surrounded herself with people she barely knew. Despite spending every weekend together, going out, and sharing countless memories, she realized the connections were shallow. Since then, she’s cultivated a new circle of friends, ones with whom she shares a deeper bond. Now, she knows their families, understands each other more fully, and has built a support system that pushes them all toward greatness.

Losing a friend or ending a relationship can help you realize what you truly want in life. It can shift your perspective on what matters most and even lead you down a different path. Do these experiences with friends and past relationships shape who we become later on? They can push us to raise our standards and be more selective about the people we let into our lives. 

“I feel like freshman year I was just trying to find as many friends [as] possible, trying to have as much fun all the time as possible, but now I try finding friends who have the same goals or drive or motivation as me,” explains junior Ryann Richards. She says that the past couple of years have helped her realize the importance of finding a balance in her friendships between having fun and motivating each other academically.

Experiencing independence for the first time and navigating the shift toward “adulting” is a pivotal transitional period for many young adults. Deciding where to go to college is both a nerve-wracking and thrilling experience for many. Freshman year brings countless lessons and a fresh sense of identity. The newfound freedom of that year gives us the space to reflect on what we truly want in life.

Freshman Graham Fumueller claims he wants to live in Spain or Germany while working remotely somewhere in the US. Fummeuller says, “I have a few friends that are going to school abroad, and traveling is always something that I’ve wanted to do so a little bit of both.” After traveling to Germany with his family a couple of years ago, when he knew he had to live abroad at some point in his life.  

On the other hand, Freshman Lauren Brockman says she has always dreamed of being a doctor. “As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with medicine.” She plans to go to medical school after college in hopes of pursuing a career as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. 

These two goals may seem entirely different, yet they both represent the plans of students just beginning their journey. Newly independent, both students expressed feeling nervous about starting college. The choices they make in the coming years will shape, challenge, and perhaps even transform their visions for the future.

The unknown can be intimidating for many — it’s not a clear roadmap with instructions to follow. Instead, it’s a space you get to shape however you choose. Leaving college marks stepping into the unknown, a world full of places and experiences we’ve never encountered. As overwhelming as it may seem, it’s a time that’s uniquely yours to navigate.

Ryann Richards explains, “Just like our priorities will change over time. I think going into post-grad there is just a lot of fear in that [itself] but also excitement.” 

Taking a leap of faith might seem daunting, but it could be the fresh start we’ve all been looking for. So, where do we start? How many LinkedIn profiles do we need to scroll through before coming up empty? These are all valid questions from college students who are just trying to find something to grasp, something to strive for. We are creatures of habit, but if you let your mind wander, even for just a moment, you might be amazed at what you can come up with.

“When I first came to college [I was] gonna go be a lawyer, I [wanted to] practice [the] law, … go to law school and [do] all that,” says Tess Jones. After her junior year, she realized that wasn’t the future she wanted. Instead, she decided she wanted to advocate for laws and government a little differently. Instead of working with laws after they’re made, she wants to be on the other side, as a policy analyst, helping to write the laws. Jones is ditching the idea of desk work and paperwork in favor of being directly involved in the action. 

It’s never too late to turn the page and start fresh. Try different things, and try again and again. As you grow through college, your plans will inevitably change. You’ll meet people who will make you wonder how you ever lived without them. It’s a tale as old as time—missing out on the position you hoped for, or realizing the friends you thought you’d connect with just weren’t the right fit, can feel like a setback. But it’s not a seatback; it’s growth. 

“I think college has made me more motivated to do more school like go to graduate school,” says Junior Ryann Richards reflecting on how her dreams have shifted, now considering the possibility of pursuing graduate school after completing her undergraduate degree. “Before starting Freshman Year, I would not have thought of that for myself. Now I have just realized there is just so much out there and as long as I can keep learning I’d like to before I get a job.” 

No matter how much you long for the past, you can only keep moving forward. Use this time to appreciate how unique it is. Our dreams now are there to guide us–don’t be afraid if they shift or upset your mental timeline. It’s all part of the journey. 

Since freshman year, Ryann Richards says, “I think my goals have kind of shifted just as I have seen new opportunities and seen people do different things. I have just realized there are so many different paths, so I think my career goals have changed just as I have gotten new inspiration and new ideas.” 

Throughout college exposing yourself to new ideas and diversifying your life will bring many opportunities that you might not even see fit now. Your friends and family have a bigger impact on who you are and who you are becoming than you might expect. Having a change in perspective might shine through what truly was meant for you after all. 

Dreams, experiences, and perspectives are all relative to where you are in life. It’s the unexpected moments that build your strength and teach you the most. We don’t plan to fail, but those “what if” worries can sometimes hold you back from dreaming. 

After a sudden shift in her routine, leaving Greek life became a tough decision for Tess Jones. She admitted that it “was no longer the center” of her life. With friendships and relationships she thought would last forever slipping away, she felt lost.  Jones’s freshman self would be stunned to learn that something she valued deeply during her first days of college ultimately didn’t pan out. Her initial college mindset was centered around Greek life, with hopes of someday holding a leadership position in her sorority. During this unexpected shift in her life, Tess embraced new interests and created the Democracy Fellows on campus. She realized that if she continued with Greek life, she might be content with her life, but wouldn’t be satisfied, as she has become the person she has always hoped to be – her true self. 

The phrase “everything happens for a reason” can be frustrating at times. Some things may never have a clear reason, and in those moments, we have to find peace. By looking for happiness in life’s small, unexpected places, we might just stumble upon something extraordinary. So, never judge something by its surface.

“Be yourself from the start, because otherwise, you won’t make genuine friendships,” says Tess Jones. While it may sound cliché, it’s true. Pretending to be someone else may be fun as a child, but gets exhausting quickly as an adult. Embracing your flaws and misfortunes will allow you to form real connections with people who understand the real you. 

Everyone is on their own unique journey through life, so don’t rush through the good moments out of fear of looking foolish. Dreaming isn’t silly—it’s part of being human to hope and believe that something greater lies ahead. Even if you don’t have a clear vision of your dream, sometimes it’s the small things that really matter.

Ryann Richards states, “… As I have seen new opportunities and seen people do different things I have just realized there are so many different paths, so I think my goals for my career [have] changed just as I have gotten new inspiration and new ideas.” Experiences and challenges can shape your dreams in ways you might not have expected. It’s often how you respond to the changes in your life that influences both your dreams and the person you’re becoming.

There’s no right or wrong way to dream. If anything, dream bigger. It’s not just about what comes next, but about the journey itself. The students at the University of Arkansas have shown us the value of letting your dreams flow freely. They’ve explored new experiences, made lasting friendships, and discovered new passions. Dreaming is a gradual process that can leave a lasting impact on what you truly want from life.

The students in our community have gained valuable life lessons by embracing the challenges that come with change. As they step into the future, they may face fear, but they carry with them more courage and strength than they had at the start of freshman year. Learning life’s lessons isn’t just about where you’re headed; it’s about the experiences you’ve had along the way that shape who you are. Sometimes, you have to let go of certain things to discover where you’re meant to go next. 

Do the things that scare you—the things you never imagined you’d say “yes” to. Dreams aren’t just for fairy tales; they can deeply shape who you are. If you never fully chase one, it might leave a lingering sense of curiosity that you can’t shake. Not all dreams come true—some don’t work out for the best, and some you work tirelessly for, only to fall short. But the heart of dreaming is hope. Keep that hope alive, and one day, it will pay off. 

Tess Jones says, “One of the main reasons I chose Arkansas was I wanted to be the SEC Southern sorority girl., I wanted to be president of my sorority, and be really active in Greek life which I think is great, like I have friends who are still doing that and they love it.” She explains how through this pain of realizing what you wanted before is not what you want now, Jones found meaningful friendships, new passions, and experiences she never saw coming. 

Dreaming might seem like it’s all wonder and happiness, and while there’s some of that, it’s also about loss. We often dream to fill a void or to escape the sadness around us. Dreaming isn’t always sunshine and rainbows—that’s why it takes strength. In a world that’s constantly changing, not allowing yourself even a small spark of hope or curiosity could leave you seeing things with a “half-empty” mindset. 

During college, your plans may evolve, and your future might not turn out the way you imagined. Dreams give you the space to grow and become a better version of yourself. Give yourself permission to dream—and just as important, give yourself grace when those dreams shift. It’s all part of life. The little journeys you experience throughout your lifetime will help you learn more about who you are. College is just one of many adventures, a time of transformation and change. 

These students in our community are proving that dreams start with curiosity and are a natural part of being human—constantly evolving. The future can be intimidating, and planning for it can feel even more overwhelming, but it’s our dreams that make us unique. Embracing our differences and exploring new possibilities helps us truly understand our dreams and discover what’s meant for us. Dreams leave a lasting impact on us. You can probably recall some of your earliest dreams, like wanting to be a famous singer, a basketball player, or a firefighter. These small moments shape the great adventures that unfold over time.

Dreams aren’t just for kids playing dress-up or tossing a football at recess. They’re for people of all ages, at every stage of life. Dare to dream, dream big, embrace the impossible, and see what you can turn into reality. Dreams come from that inner child within you who believes you can be and do anything. Hold onto that inner voice urging you to keep going, reminding you that change can lead to something better. Never forget where dreams come from and where they’re guiding you.