You're gonna go far

"So pack up your car, put a hand on your heart/Say whatever you feel, be wherever you are/We ain't angry at you, love/You're the greatest thing we've lost." One of the three concerts I went to during the month of June was Noah Kahan's, a rising folk singer who just hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200 charts with the release of his deluxe album version of his 2022 "Stick Season". The above lyrics are from his new song, "You're Gonna Go Far," one of seven new deluxe tracks. The first time I heard this song, I was struck by how much I related to the lyrics, and hearing them live was an extremely cathartic experience. I envisioned myself in my packed car, driving across state lines between the two places I call home. I blare my music through the speakers on these hourlong drives in an effort to keep my mind from worrying about a plethora of worries common to any 21-year-old — what I'll do after college, where I'll live, whether I will I ever find a job and whether time will ever time slow down, to name a few. And when this song comes on my shuffle, I am reassured by that line, as well as the line following. I think of my parents fighting back tears every time I go back to my college apartment, knowing that they too are processing how to navigate having one less daughter home. I'm grateful to have such incredible parents that make it hard to leave. Although I am only an hour away from my home in Michigan, this has been my first summer living in Bowling Green and working in the area. It has been my first time being away from so many constants in my life — my parents, my twin sister, my hometown friends and my summer job for the last five years. It has been my first time working in my desired field of work and putting my skills I have obtained from the past three years of schooling to use. On the flip side of the coin, I was able to spend the summer with a second set of constants I have acquired — my college roommates, my college friends and a college town that's grown to hold such a special place in my heart. When I chose to attend BGSU, I knew that the short distance from home was something that was extremely important to me when deciding on what college to attend. I have been blessed to be close enough to attend numerous events at home, including birthdays, my sister's dance performances and lunch dates with my mom. This summer was no exception and was filled with concerts in Michigan, family vacations and relaxing days in the backyard. But whether I visit home or spend the weekend in Bowling Green, I always feel that I am choosing between the people I love. I feel that no matter what, I disappoint one party. Part of growing up is becoming independent and planting your roots where they are meant to grow, but it is one of the hardest aspects I've had to grapple with in the past three years, especially this summer. I try to put a positive spin on the situation, though, and remind myself to be grateful that I have two beautiful places to call home with the people in my life I love the most waiting at each stop. As I go into my senior year of college, I struggle to understand how this is my last year of college and potentially the last year with this new set of constants in my life. I struggle to answer the question that has been frequently asked of me more and more as graduation day gets closer — what do you want to do with your life? Until I can define that answer, I will continue to pack up my car, be present in this stage of my life and blare my music through the speakers, knowing that life is full of beautiful moments such as those long car rides singing your favorite songs — and that's all I need to know for now. Zochowski has been an editorial intern at The Courier. She is from Southeast Michigan and is a rising senior at Bowling Green State University, set to graduate in May 2024.