This past month, I have been helping a young relative prepare to start his college career at a state university. For several reasons, the preparation that should have happened over the course of many months, has been compressed into a very short span of time. It has been an exhausting whirlwind of activities for him and for me.

What amazes me is the number of details that must be attended to. Each simple tasks has many other tasks upon which it depends. The intricacies of all the dependencies and required sequencing of activities has been dizzying at times.

One of the complex processes has been determining his schedule and attempting to plan out the next four years of coursework to achieve his desired degree. Each required course has pre-requisites. Many of the courses are only offered in specific quarters of the year. It is no small task to plan all of this out.

At times the 'to do' list has seemed impossible to handle. Both of us have become weary at times and cranky as well. Yet, through it all, I KNOW what is at stake and I KNOW, from personal experience, just how amazing his experience will be when he gets to school and begins this great adventure. It is almost like there is a price to be paid for the privilege of attending college. All this busy work, hoop jumping and coordination are the gatekeepers to see how motivated you really are to undertake a four year course of study at a university.

Having had a fantastic and successful college career motivates me to help this kid get the chance to do the same. When he doubts whether it's worth it to do all this stuff, my own experience inspires me to keep the fire burning and move him forward. I know it's worth it!

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Everything in life has a price. It's up to us to pay that price in order to have the experiences that we seek. 

As I prepare to launch my young friend into his grand adventure, part of me wishes I was going with him. College was a challenging and exhilarating time for me. Another part of me is thrilled that those days are behind me and I am engaged in other pursuits.

The benefit for me, is to be reminded of the satisfaction of working hard for something and then watching it unfold before my eyes. Perseverance pays off! Stick with it and hang in there! Work for what you want, never give up and watch it come to you.