By: Saige Batza and Antoinette Yen

If you could fast forward in life and envision yourself in 20 years, what would you want to see? Would you be married with kids, or have a successful career? Both? Neither? For many college students who have an unknown future to face, it can be daunting to think about the endless possibilities and opportunities ahead of them. For Saige Batza and Antoinette Yen, they also believe that it can feel overwhelming to think about what lies ahead of them in the future. 

Saige Batza is a psychology major at the University of New Haven, and the Student Life editor for the Charger Bulletin Newspaper. Regarding her future, she has a few ideas about what she wants it to look like. She says, “I have always imagined a bright future for myself, one that includes faith and family, first and foremost. I would also like to work with children in my future as a Child Life Specialist, after earning my masters in Child Life, while using my psychology degree to care for children’s mental health needs.” 

Saige would love to have the opportunity to use her past experiences to help children and adolescents cope with trauma, anxiety disorders and mental health regulation overall. “There is a growing need for advisors in the mental health field, especially for children in the United States. I feel that I have a lot to offer them, using my faith in God and empathy from my past experiences to help them cope with theirs. Having endured a variety of trauma in my own past, I can empathize with children who struggle with mental health as a result of such experiences.” 

Antoinette Yen is a healthcare administration major at the university, and the Entertainment editor for the Charger Bulletin Newspaper. Regarding what she envisions for her future, Antoinette says she has so much to say but is at a complete loss for words. “I am not afraid of what the future holds for me,” she continues, “but is rather excited to embark on this journey into the unknown. As a person who values family above all else, my family comes first.”

“I am very excited to begin my Doctor of Medicine in Dental Surgery program this fall, and I can’t wait to treat and educate oral healthcare in its entirety.”

Antoinette continues to explain how her faith has given her the courage she needs to face the unknown of the future. “Having said that, faith, in my opinion, conquers all. I believe, as my grandmother always taught me, that we are merely God’s followers. A snippet into the future, as I am nearing the end of my time as an editor for the Charger Bulletin, I can’t help but ponder and reflect on the incredible, significant and irreplaceable bonds I’ve formed.”

Antoinette is grateful for her time at the university, and looks forward to her future. “To me, my journey at the university would be incomplete if I did not mention my tenure at the Bulletin, and I can’t help but hope you’ll join me and be supportive of my journey in creating my hallway of smiles. May we cross paths again!”

So we ask you…are you fearful of your future? If you are, we have listed a few pieces of advice we would like to impart upon you. Since many things in life can change on a dime, future events are not always predictable, nor are your reactions to such events. 

It may be helpful to think of your life as a clean slate. When you make mistakes in your future, as we all do, your slate becomes dirty, and shows marks that weren’t there before. But it is important to remember that you can always learn from your mistakes, ask for forgiveness and move forward. Your dirty slate is now wiped clean. 

When you are concerned about making the right life-altering decision, turn to one of your friends or relatives and ask for advice. There are always people in your life to help you out of sticky situations, whether or not you realize it. After all, there’s no reason to be afraid of the future when you have someone right by your side, willing to guide you through it.