Progressions

Running Your Own Race: Redefining What It Means To Be ‘On Track’

Students talk about being “on track” in college as if everyone is running the same race on the same timeline, just trying to reach the finish line. Growing up in Indiana, where racing is woven into the culture, I know a race is as much about pacing, strategy and adjustments as it is about speed. It makes me wonder: What does it really mean to “win” in college?

For me, the race metaphor feels especially true. I started at Butler University in 2022 as a marketing student, but quickly realized my heart was in communications, leading me to switch my major in my second semester.

The Butler Bulldog in me soon became a Boilermaker when I transferred to Purdue after my first year. While I had found my academic direction in communications, I hadn’t felt at home socially at Butler. Transferring to Purdue gave me the chance to start fresh and find my place on campus, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was behind, starting over while others seemed so far ahead.

At Purdue, every communication student begins in a pre-communication program before entering a concentration. That meant I spent my first year at Purdue alongside mostly first-year students, and the gap between where I thought I should be and where I was felt impossible to ignore.

That tension became my motivation. I knew I needed to get involved — not only to catch up and close the gap, but also to strengthen my résumé and grow as a young professional. That’s when I discovered PRSSA. I joined just over a year ago, at the start of my junior year, and what’s happened since has shown me that maybe I’m not behind at all.

During my first year as a member, I sought out opportunities like working on a Chapter committee or attending the Midwest District Conference, but nothing clicked right away; instead, I faced a few early rejections that challenged me to be more resilient and open to growth.

Today, I work on the Publications Subcommittee, serve as my Chapter’s guest relations director and contribute to Boiler Communication, Purdue’s Student-run Firm. Along the way, I’ve also taken on two internships — one in development and fundraising with Indiana Humanities and another in communications with IU Health — as well as a preceptor role for a political science course, providing academic support and grading assignments. Together, these experiences have shown me success is less about keeping pace and more about finding where you can thrive.

Looking back, what once felt like delays or detours were really just part of the race. Each turn — switching majors, transferring schools, starting over in pre-communication and facing rejection — led me to where I am now. My path hasn’t been the fastest or the most direct, but it’s mine. That’s the real lesson: There’s no single “track” in college, only the one you create for yourself.

College isn’t a race. Sure, we’re all headed toward the same finish line of graduation, but it’s not about who gets there first. It’s about how you navigate the track — the adjustments you make, the pit stops you take and the experiences you collect along the way.

Still, it’s hard not to look around and feel like you’re falling behind when everyone else seems to be speeding ahead with internships, leadership roles or perfectly mapped-out plans. I’ve felt that pressure myself — the nagging sense I wasn’t doing enough or started too late.

Too often, we confuse “winning” with being the busiest or having the longest list of achievements, but I’m learning that “winning” in college looks different for everyone. For me, it’s been about finding the right fit, saying yes to opportunities that excite me and building confidence at my own pace. And honestly, the moments that make me feel like I’m truly winning happen outside the classroom — with the people I meet and experiences I collect that remind me there is more to college than any bullet point on a résumé.

At the end of the day, it’s your race to run and your life to live. College isn’t about keeping up with someone else’s pace or matching their milestones. It’s about figuring out what excites you, where you want to grow and how you define success for yourself. Don’t let comparison kill your joy, and remember: It’s never too late to change your mind. Not only is this your life to live — it’s your only life. So take the wheel, set your own pace and start redefining what it means to be “on track.”