5.13.2014

finally falling into place

When I was in high school, I was dead set on being a doctor. There was no doubt in my mind that I would breeze through my undergraduate as a pre-med (physiology) major, get into a great medical school, and become a neurologist. LOLZ because yeah right I can't even imagine doing that now. I changed my major about six times in the two years I've been in college. I was everything from physiology to nutrition to neuroscience before I settled on psychology. Even now I sometimes wish I could switch it one more time, but it's too late because I graduate in 220 days, but who's counting, right?

There's something that just doesn't feel right to me about the way you're "supposed" to go from high school straight into college and have it all figured out. As an 18 year old, how was I supposed to choose a major and right then and there decide what I will spend the rest of my life doing? At 18 years old, are we even experienced enough, or educated enough, to have any idea of what we want to actually do? Sure, some people know. Some people have a dream of becoming something and stick to it and have no problem. But I feel that with most people, that isn't the case. Plus, you can only be an undecided major for so long- once you've taken all of your pre requisites you really don't have a choice but to choose something. I'm very fortunate that I have everything paid for. If I was paying for school out of pocket, I would've absolutely waited and tried to figure out my interests before starting at a university, because honestly if you're just spending money on classes that aren't towards what you want to do, it can be waste of money. And time.

Anyway, back to where I intended this ramble of a post to go! So I don't know what I want to do with my life and it changes every five seconds. One day I want to get my MBA, or my Master's in accounting. The next day I find a renewed interest in psychology and decide I want to go get my PhD. Why am I such a mess? My competing interests in psychology and business are the problem because I can't figure out which I would rather do. But then I found a program where I can apply both.

DJ and I talk about our future all the time. And while sometimes we change our minds, I think we've both figured out what we really want to do, and the best part is that it works out perfectly for us both individually and as a couple. I'll be moving there in January after I graduate. Hopefully he'll come home in December for my graduation, we'll spend the holidays together and with our families, and then we'll drive back to Montana to start our lives together. He gets out in February of 2016, and we want to move back home to be with our families. He wants to pursue a BS in Construction management, and I want to get my Masters in Applied Psychology. They're both programs through Arizona State, and it's really exciting to think about.

Sure, we'll probably change our minds in the next two years. But for the first time in a very very long time, I feel confident in what I want to do. I feel confident that I've found something I could make a career out of, and something that I could enjoy doing. Same goes for DJ. So yay for getting our shit together. It's definitely a relief to have some idea of what the future holds!

PS did you know I'm going to Montana tomorrow? Woo!
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7 comments:

  1. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, as I just graduated. I went into college thinking business, quickly changed to communications and then added a minor in journalism. But a few months ago, I decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate program and I start those classes in about a month. It just seems crazy to me to tell someone who can't even rent an apartment yet because landlords say they're too young that they need to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives!

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  2. I graduated last year (a year ago today wow). I've always wanted to be a teacher, since I was in Kindergarten and my dreams never changed. However, its been a year and I dont have a teaching job. I wish I would have thought about demands and job markets.

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  3. I totally understand you on all levels! I had no idea what I wanted to do so I just went into Mass Communications for two years and after those two years I switched to teaching for a year. After paying for 12 classes and wasting almost an entire year I decided that wasn't for me and I switched back to Mass Comm. It sucks because I would have graduated a year early if I would have just stuck to Mass Comm in the first place, but things happen for a reason I guess because I met my boyfriend through one of my teaching friends! I am glad you are finally feeling like everything is falling into place for you! Also, have so much fun in Montana!

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  4. I'm 20, and went to one semester of college right out of high school. The pressure of having to know is overwhelming! I haven't gone back yet, in hopes to figure it out. Like you said, I don't want to waste my money on classes that will get me no where on the path I choose. So here I am, school-les, being judged and questioned for not going. But I'm willing to wait until I can decide on something I love! Thanks for posting this!

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  5. First off, HAVE SO MUCH FUN IN MONTANA!!!

    Secondly, I had NO idea what I wanted to do. I essentially chose a major that was really, really interesting to me. I loved all my classes. Every single one. But I didn't know exactly what I wanted to DO with my degree. It was "Human Development and Family Studies" which is a combination of psych, sociology, human growth and development, and social work. And you can do a LOT with it but I just didn't know what. It took a life changing experience to open my eyes to my path in life. Cancer. After that, I knew I wanted to help those and their families battling cancer. And here I am doing just that!!! I think one day I'd like to go back to become an nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric oncology. So you aren't alone. Sometimes it takes something smacking you in the face to show you what you're meant to do be doing!

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  6. Wow, you're so inspirational.
    But really, I'm happy for you that you found a program for both psychology and business!! Miss you!
    PS, tell DJ hi for me when you get there in LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!

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  7. I agree with you, it is very strange to expect an 18 year old with no real world experience know exactly what they want to do with their lives. My path was a bit nontraditional and I took a few turns and I'm still not 100% sure what to do with the rest of my life! And I'm 34! The world is an ever changing place and there are jobs that exist today that were unheard of 10 years ago, like social media manager? Good luck on the next part of your journey! And don't worry, you're not supposed to have it all figured out yet!

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