Nikita P.
Photography by Cat White
If you’re reading this, your path isn’t wrong.
People act like life is supposed to go in a straight line—graduate high school, go to college, get a job, and move on. But that’s not how it actually works. Time moves differently for everyone, and there’s no single “right” way to do things.
When I transferred to UVA, I wasn’t worried about fitting in or keeping up. I was confident. I knew I worked hard, had real-world experience, and was more than ready. But then reality hit.
Everything was different—the pace, the expectations, the way people carried themselves. At community college, I was used to juggling leadership roles, classes, and jobs without a problem. But here, that balance felt harder to find, especially in such a rigorous school with tougher courses and higher expectations. Imposter syndrome crept in, not all at once, but little by little. I started questioning myself, wondering if I was doing enough, or if I was even enough. I still feel that way sometimes.
But then I remind myself: just because my path looks different doesn’t mean I’m behind. If anything, it’s given me a head start in ways people on the traditional four-year track might not have. While some are just now figuring out how to work in professional settings, I’ve already been there. While others are still exploring what they want to do, I’ve had the time to make informed choices. I already have a degree, real experience, and skills that go beyond what’s taught in a classroom. Taking a different route didn’t slow me down—it gave me a stronger foundation.
So if you’re reading this and feeling out of place, wondering if you should have done things differently, know this: you’re not behind. Your experiences, your choices, your journey—they all matter. And they make you more prepared than you think. Time isn’t a race, and you’re exactly where you need to be.
Nikita P., University of Virginia
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