In college, the list of people you know stretches indefinitely — roommates, their partners, classmates, coworkers— it’s a massive web. But as we get older, that web often condenses until it eventually dwindles into your own remote family. While it’s easy to pass this phenomenon off as “becoming an adult” and “getting older,” these statements ignore the fact that we have structurally ensured that loneliness is an outcome of our lives. 

Between your changing mind, new living situation, more intense studies and a slew of new and potentially traumatic experiences, you’re going through a lot right now.

When young people see they’re not making progress towards this extraordinary life, they often feel like they’ve failed in some way. These years aren’t meant to be extraordinary or spectacular — they are meant for us to learn about who we are, even if that person is completely ordinary.

I’m proud of all of us and I hope you are, too.

Robert Beecher is no stranger to professionalism. And as a Pitt senior who has had internships in Senator Bob Casey’s district office and with 8th District City Councilman Bill Peduto’s mayoral campaign,...