Editor’s Note: Up and Comers is our space to profile the journeys of inspirational humans. This story comes from the heart of Morgan Ryerson, who is about to graduate in May, and is an intern at The Cedar Falls News Hub. We cheer her on!
By Morgan Ryerson
Uncertain, uncomfortable, joyful, fulfilling, nostalgic.
How can college be all of these things?
College has been the most challenging and frustrating, yet rewarding and joyful experience I’ve ever had.
As I stand on the threshold of adult life, just two months away from my college graduation, I find myself reflecting and appreciating the experiences that have shaped me the past four years. I wonder how many of my fellow soon-to-be Panther alums are feeling the same way.
Some people come into college looking for “the one,” their lifetime best friends, a chance to finally be on their own, or to live it up in the party scene. I came to UNI very academically focused, determined to be a doctor or physician assistant, adamant on planning the next three years of my life and being certain of my post-graduation path. I had grown up always eager to learn, pushing myself to get the highest grades and take all the advanced classes my high school offered. That same longing for success and validation followed me here to Cedar Falls.
As my first semester began, I threw myself into studying, while also going to all the social gatherings and parties to try to find the right friends. I felt I really had to solidify the academic identity I had created for myself in high school.
At the same time, I started to attend a college ministry called the Salt Company. They hold services every Thursday night at Candeo Church for college-aged students here in Cedar Falls. There, they open up the Bible, teach a sermon over a passage, sing together, and connect with other students.
One of the first messages I heard there was about identity and purpose, and how oftentimes the things we pour the most energy into end up leaving us feeling dissatisfied.
I continued to work hard in college, spending long nights and early mornings in the library doing homework or preparing for exams. The workload was unlike anything I’d experienced before, and I wasn’t getting the results I expected or wanted. I remember getting my first “bad” grade on an exam–looking back, it seems trivial, but at the time, it felt devastating. I felt like I had failed because I wasn’t living up to the expectations people had for me. But in reality, they were just expectations I had placed on myself.
It was during this time that I began attending Salt Company more regularly and got plugged into a connection group, which is a small group of girls who meet every week to talk about the sermons and learn about Jesus. It was a breath of fresh air to meet girls who were also struggling to adjust to college life and searching for their passions and purpose.
Over the course of the semester, I realized how unhappy I was in my major. I remember asking myself, “Why am I in this major if I don’t even like it? What am I doing it for?” My desire to help others had been the driving force behind my pursuit of a career in the health field. As I reflected more deeply, I saw that my motivation was tainted by a need to feel worthy, intelligent, and financially stable.
The sermons at Salt Company, coupled with the support and encouragement of my connection group, gave me the confidence to change my major to “undecided.” They reminded me that I was worth much more than good grades or a prestigious career. The Bible reminds us that we are worth much more—we are worth dying for!
The truth of the gospel gave me an overwhelming sense of peace about the uncertainty I was facing, knowing that I had a God who loves me and will provide for me!
Romans 9:31-32 says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
During my sophomore year I welcomed in the uncertainty, finding a sense of peace amidst it. I took a variety of random classes trying to find something I was interested in. From nonprofit leadership to public relations, I was exploring every possibility! I also rediscovered my passion for photography, which is always something I wanted to pursue more seriously.
Then, I made a bold leap of faith and declared an Interactive Digital Studies (IDS) major, which is a mixture of all things in the digital realm including graphic design, computer science, and advertising!
It was a decision driven by a genuine love and interest for creating, and it was the best decision I could’ve made!
Now, as a senior, I’ve gotten the opportunity to do internships and design a lot of exciting projects. I’ve illustrated animations, designed brands, printed stickers, developed websites, laser engraved, and more! (Yes, this is a shameless plug for the IDS department—you should totally pursue this if you have a passion for creating!)
If you want to see what I’ve been up to since freshman year or if you’re interested in a design major, check out my photography website and my creative portfolio!
Photography
Creative Portfolio
None of this would’ve been possible without embracing the joy I find in creativity. Praise the Lord for giving me a desire to create and to glorify the Creator of all! He has captured my heart, aligning it with His, and fueling it with a passion to learn, serve, and create.
I’ve accepted a graphic design job at a church in Wisconsin after I graduate where I get to do exactly that: learn, serve, and create. I am so excited to put this passion in action!
For the college student reading this: welcome in the uncertainty! It wasn’t until I truly let myself sit in it that I began to grow, find my passions, and discover my purpose. What started as a longing for success and validation transformed into a desire to create, to seek joy in all I do, and to deepen meaningful relationships with the people who matter most in my life.
They say college is the “best time of your life,” and while I can definitely say the friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had make it hard to beat, I’m ready to step into this next season of life with boldness. I move forward, unafraid of what lies ahead, knowing I have the strength and comfort of the Lord on my side.