Many words of wisdom were uttered at graduation; many words of encouragement were whispered to the seniors by the administrators. In the end though, none of the words were adequate enough to prepare us for the separation that many seniors will have to endure from family and friends as they make their own destinies in the vast world of college.

As I look back on the years of high school, I remember fears of facing new teachers and intimidating upperclassmen. I remember rejoicing over the prospect of having a one-minute warning bell that reminded students to get to class after socializing for a few minutes in the hallway. I also remember looking through the course manual and being overwhelmed every year by the preparation of my schedule.

Some of the more recent memories include the stresses of shopping for a dress for prom and the Valedictorian tearing up her transcript while she was giving her speech on stage.

In any case, high school had a mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly, and provided me with an additional sense of security that I will miss greatly.

And now, the world of college seems to have amplified many of the issues I faced in high school. So many classes to choose from, so much personal responsibility- I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that it can be an alarming prospect.

However, higher education is necessary in a nation that is birthing more college graduates than ever before and where structural unemployment is becoming such a widespread occurrence.

That said, there are many problems with the higher education system, including the towering costs and admissions processes. Many in the Texas Congress were spurring controversy over a rule that allows for automatic admission for a graduate, provided they rank within the top 10 percent of their high school, to any public university in the state.

Although this process does speed up the selection of students, it may also exclude many qualified students who simply write better essays or interview well.

Additional dilemmas colleges have faced include the issues of affirmative action and alumni legacy admis-sion.Despite its shortcomings, none of us can deny the value of a college education. It’s the next step in a journey that has made me grow from a young and naïve freshman into a confident and somewhat self-assured senior.

I mentioned earlier about how students shape their own destinies and to a certain extent I believe that’s true. However, in the end, it all comes down to the support and respect one can gain from others and the bonds of trust many of us will forge with strangers in the world.