The myth of the ideal graduate

By Eliza Consuelo Bellones

As my high school graduation steadily approaches, there is a question I have been faced with countless times: what’s next? This question comes in many forms: in polite conversations with acquaintances, in the personal statement section of my college applications, and in the quiet moments before I fall asleep. It’s supposed to be a simple question, but it never feels that way. Behind it is an expectation: that by eighteen, I should already know exactly where I’m headed. That I should have a dream college, a ten-year career plan, and a future that makes sense. The world seems to demand certainty at an age when most of us are only beginning to understand who we are.

Perhaps what plagues my fellow high school seniors is the image of the ideal graduate: confident, accomplished, ready to take on the world. Every college acceptance season is an endless scroll of admissions letters, scholarship offers, and commitment announcements. While I’m sure we all feel genuine pride for these people, many of us can’t help but wonder — what about the rest of us who are still figuring things out?

It’s easy to feel left behind when everyone seems to be moving forward. But the truth is, very few people actually have everything figured out at eighteen. Most of us are walking into the future with more questions than answers. Still, the quiet pressure persists: to sound sure, to make the next step look effortless. This pressure feels especially heavy to some; family expectations, financial realities, and cultural ideas of success often shape the choices we make. The expected choice may look like immediately going to college, picking a “practical” course, and preparing for a stable career. These are admirable goals — but they’re not the only ones that matter. Not knowing what you want doesn’t make you lost; it simply makes you human.

The myth of the ideal graduate tells us that success is a straight line. In reality, It’s a series of seemingly endless turns, pauses, and restarts. Some of us will take gap years, shift courses, or change directions entirely — and that’s okay. Growth isn’t a checklist. It’s a process of becoming, of learning who you are and what kind of life feels true to you. There’s no sweeter rush than discovering what you love, and there’s no greater fulfillment than finding your calling. It may not be the clearest at the moment, but believe me when I say you will know what feels right.

Maybe we need to stop asking “What’s next?” and start asking “’What matters to me right now?” Because the purpose of graduation — and high school — isn’t to come out with all the answers. It’s trusting that you are in the place to begin searching for them with curiosity, courage, and an open heart.

So, to everyone who joins me in the whirlwind of the last few months before graduation, I’d like to remind you: you do not need to have it all figured out. Just keep moving, enjoy learning, and trust that not knowing is part of the journey.