Many high school graduates find themselves jumping into college life without a clear definition of what their long term goals and passions are. Often times many high school graduates and college underclassmen choose degrees and majors quickly and decisively only to find themselves changing their minds about what they want to pursue. Unfortunately, I found myself being one of those students who jumped into college not knowing what I really wanted to do.
[pullquote type=”left”]I found myself being one of those students who jumped into college not knowing what I really wanted to do.[/pullquote]However, I thought that I should go to college because it was simply the logical next step after high school. Because of a lack of certainty, purpose, and direction in my college life, I found myself struggling with discontentment and apathy about where I was at and what my future looked like. Around the end of my fourth semester in college, I realized I needed to take some time to seriously consider what I wanted. That’s when I found Love Thy Neighborhood. I chose to apply for Love Thy Neighborhood for their year long internship because I knew that it could help me refocus.
[pullquote type=”right”]I found myself struggling with discontentment and apathy.[/pullquote]Through LTN, I’ve been able to spend my time in meaningful ways serving in the community and helping others. While I’m serving, I’m able to grow as a person, learning about who I am and where I’ve been, so as to better understand where I’m going. This has been one of the most impactful ways Love Thy Neighborhood as affected me thus far.
[pullquote type=”left”]LTN has helped me see so much of who I am and how I relate to others.[/pullquote]In the past couple of months since joining this gap year internship program, LTN has helped me see so much of who I am and how I relate to others. LTN has afforded me the opportunity to pursue meaningful work while preparing me for what comes after this internship. I’ve realized that I can’t know what I want for my future until I understand where I’m at and where I’ve been. This internship program has enabled me and continues to enable me to understand these parts of myself.
[pullquote type=”right”]When I finish my Gap Year, I will have a clearer understanding of my direction and desires for my future.[/pullquote]
I’m certain that by the time I complete this year long program, I will have a clearer understanding of my direction and desires for my future. I’m certain of this because I have grown and learned so much already and I’m only about two months into the LTN program. If I can be impacted so greatly this early, how much more can I learn and grow by August of 2017?
William Pratt is from Greeley, CO and is currently taking a gap year to make an impact on the homeless community by serving at Louisville Rescue Mission for the 2016-2017 Year Term. Will has been using his skills as a skateboarder to build relationships with people in his neighborhood.
