Protecting Your Peace at All Costs
Because you deserve it.
BY Sofia Traversari ★ April 10th, 2025
photo by Sofia Traversari
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be at Syracuse University, I would have laughed. Hard.
Boston was my dream—the city, the energy, the endless opportunities. I had a picture-perfect vision for my life: living my best main character era, surrounded by my hometown friends and finally feeling like I belong. But life, as it does, had other plans. Somehow, I ended up here instead—and honestly? Thank God. I wouldn’t change a thing.
For the longest time, I believed that the “right place” had to be the most exciting one. I thought fun and comfort were the ultimate signs that I was where I was meant to be. But through this journey, I’ve learned that real fulfillment isn’t found in the rush of a perfect Instagram moment or in the thrill of chasing an ideal—it’s where peace and joy meet halfway. That’s what Syracuse has unexpectedly given me.
Okay, but can we talk about how transferring is terrifying? It’s messy. It’s literally starting over when you thought you had everything figured out. I was a twenty-year-old sophomore at a school in New York, convinced that Boston College was where I needed to be—so much so that anything else felt like settling. But as the process unfolded, I realized I wasn’t just choosing a school—I was choosing my peace. And those fleeting moments of excitement I’d felt before? They were just that—fleeting. Fun, sure. But fulfilling? Not so much. In the end, I found myself at Syracuse, and for the first time, it actually felt right.
I won’t pretend it was easy, but I will say this: I have never felt more at peace with a decision in my life. Slowly but surely, I started to embrace the change. I found people who get me, professors who challenge me, and opportunities that align with my goals in ways I never imagined. I used to think that sticking to “the plan” was the key to success, but sometimes, clinging to an idea of what life should look like keeps us from seeing what’s actually best for us.
But enough about my personal “Syracuse redemption arc”—this is about you. Whoever you are reading this, I need you to hear me when I say: Protect. Your. Peace. If you’re feeling torn, uncertain, or just downright exhausted over a decision, remember this: The right choice is the one where happiness and peace align. If one is missing, that’s your answer.
This isn’t just about big life changes like transferring schools—it’s about everything. Your relationships, friendships, career, even the simple choice of whether to go out tonight. If something feels off, trust that feeling. Deep down, you already know the answer. Stop chasing the highlight reel and start listening to the version of you that knows where you truly belong.
Sometimes, life's best moments come from the paths we never expected to take. Syracuse might not have been the plan, but right now, I am exactly where I am meant to be. I’ve never felt more at peace. So, if you take anything from this, let it be this: Nothing compares to the sweetness of peace. You deserve it. Go find it.