As a senior in high school, I can confidently say that my life is a whirlwind of big changes – something I think my fellow seniors would agree with.  And along with that, the saying “everything happens for a reason” seems to be on repeat in my mind. 

As we are inching closer to graduation, applying to colleges, and making choices that set our path to the future, it feels both exciting and overwhelmingly confusing. But, can the saying “everything happens for a reason” help relieve our stress during this defining time?

I can admit that the saying itself can seem a little oversimplified, especially when it comes to struggling with bigger challenges. A rejection letter from your dream college or an unexpected shift in plans can be painfully frustrating and cause stress, and the saying could just be an annoyance. 

I have dealt with loss, grief and uncertainty, and during those challenging times I would have laughed if somebody were to say “everything happens for a reason” to me. How is getting denied from my dream school a good thing? How can losing a loved one happen for a good reason? How is that going to make my life better?

It’s evident that this saying doesn’t always make our problems easier. But – as I have grown in age and in wisdom, I can say that having a positive attitude and an accepting mindset can change your outlook on the challenges you are going through. 

Some of the hardest things I’ve faced in life have taught me the best lessons. Losing my father taught me the importance of joy and valuing every moment, switching schools taught me that good friends do exist, and letting go of the idea of my “dream school” taught me that places (especially colleges) don’t define a person.

While it is hard to see at first, there is always good in the bad. There can always be a significant takeaway from every struggle. Focusing on how a situation could make you grow or what you can learn from it instead of hyper fixating on the negatives can not only give you peace of mind, but more wisdom too. 

When it comes to senior year, the “everything happens for a reason” mindset could be the thing that we need to stay grateful, enjoy our surroundings, and ultimately stay grounded – especially amid the chaos of college decisions, essays, and applications. 

Every setback has the power to teach a lesson or open the door to new possibilities. For example, not getting into the college you thought was meant for you or not making a team could lead you to a new experience and connect you with new people or places that could change your perspective on what is important to you. 

This saying’s purpose isn’t to explain the reason for things happening in your life, but to give us the framework to deal with unexpected situations. By keeping this saying in your mind, you can remember that your story is still unwritten, the best is yet to come, and that changes in our lives could be setting us up for something great that we aren’t aware of yet.

So, as we decide on important things like where we will live and who we will become, try to keep in mind that sometimes the path we once planned on taking isn’t the only path ahead – a different path that we didn’t expect could lead us to the life we are meant to live.