Since I graduated I feel like everyone (not my mom) wants me to be off to college by Fall. Its like a military draft. All graduate high school students must go to college by fall or you are doomed. I get how college is important. I get how its different from high school. I understand how college helps you in the future. I listen to all the people with their knowledge but no one seems to understand and listen to me.
I am not stupid. I graduated high school didnt I? Let me tell you, I know there are people who think young people do not know whats best for them but I have been living with myself for over eighteen years now. I think I know better than anyone. There are teenagers who graduate high school and do not even have a clue what they want to do with their lives. Sitting on the couch and just watching television with no plans flowing through their head. Do I think thats wrong? No, but let me tell you I have known for years what I wanted to do in the future.
I know working with dogs and animals seems like a joke to some people but its what I call a good career to me. If you think I am going to just go to college to learn to work with a big company in one of those big business buildings you can dream on. Yes, those kind of careers you can earn good money but I would probably go mad. Waking up every morning and putting on a pretty work outfit just to earn money does not do it for me. Everyone seems to judge you by the work you do instead of who you are. So, I am going to show everyone who I am through my work.
Can a teenager be a teenager? Its like we are all suppose to just grow up right after we graduate high school. Grow up into adults and know how to survive. It takes practice. Just give me some time and I will get there. It will be a roller coaster ride but I will get the hang of it eventually. I may not be going to college but that does not mean I will not get where I want in life. Maybe the true meaning of life for me is happiness and living life. Everyone may be breathing but it does not mean they are living. So, my plan is to live.
So, before telling me I am young, dont understand life, dont know whats best for me or whatever else. Please remember all that I have written so far in my blog. Its all from my life. All from my experiences. Its all from a mind of a young woman who views the world in ways a lot of people dont. You can tell me I may not get far in life but I am smart enough to just let you go on with your opinion instead of fighting back and causing a big drama scene. I may not get far to you but I have already got farther in life than I ever thought I would. One step at a time and I will get there.
yeah,tell it like it is Anna,you do it like it is.You have great backing from your mum and grandmother the world is yours.Good luck.
A very wise, honest, and brave post. Bravo to you!
love, m o m
My mom went back to school later in life after she was married and had a house and kids. It would have been easier if she had gone to school prior to raising a family. Without her degree, she probably wouldn’t have a job with health insurance. On the other hand, I found out that I wasn’t ready for college only after I lost my financial aid due to poor grades. I enjoyed my classes and learned a lot but was overwhelmed by homework. I might have done better if I went through the Bridge Program first. It is supposed to give the skills needed to do well in college. Ultimately it is up to you what to decide what to do with your life. Nobody can make that decision for you Anna. I might one day go back to college but it will be my choice.
Best of luck,
Brock
Anna, society will do it’s best to stamp you with a template of it’s own choosing. (And what is a society except a group of people doing the same thing?)It’s ridiculous at best. You are unique! We all are but society tries to tamp that down with cooky cutter mentality. Remember everything except the necessities of life are either tradition or custom and those change country to country, century to century and people to people. There is NO law that will prevent you from going to college when you are over 18-20 or… You can spend thousands of dollars and 4-5 yrs of your life and still not get the work you desire…It happens…If you are well and happy that means you’re a success!
Very well said, Anna. I bet that by following your heart you will go far, and be happier and more fulfilled than most people.
You are so right when you say, “Everyone may be breathing but it does not mean they are living.” Live life to the fullest Anna. Follow the path that is right for you. Create your life one step at a time, and it will all come together for you. And when you are much older and look back on the life you created, I hope you smile a huge smile.
Anna, You are the driver of your own bus… Whatever you do, you will do it well. Everyone has an opinion about what is right and what is wrong and sometimes they are right but the simple fact is that no matter what you do it will work out the way its supposed to. Most of the time people give you their opinion because they love you and don’t want you to have to struggle but it all boils down to this…. “Life is about choices… The choices that WE make, WE have to live with. (no one else)”
While you are young Anna, you at least have given some consideration to what you want from life. That puts you ahead of a lot of people. Working with animals is an admirable line of work…better than being a praire dog in a maze of cubicles inside an open plan office building.
Keep taking it day by day and you’ll go far. As the old chinese proverb says: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Timberwolf
Hi Anna
I remember feeling the same way when I graduated. I wasn’t ready. In fact, I waited a year to go to college.
But, I did go and I am grateful. Why? Because now I am a small business owner who works with animals every day.
I love that you also want to work with animals and I say “Go for it!” But, you still may want to consider going to college if only to get a business degree. It will be the best thing you did if you plan to go into business for yourself or if want to work with animals and be taken seriously. Whether a trainer, a groomer, a pet sitter or dog walker – every business owner needs to know how to apply for a small business loan, how to create a business plan, how to hire and fire, etc. College will give you some of this and teach you how to start a small business. If you are just looking to work in a shelter… great! But, be aware that most shelter folks make minimum wage and barely scrape by. I know quite a few. It is a hard existence.
I totally support your desire to work with animals. We always need more people with passion like you. Just don’t discount how YOU could use college to benefit YOU. (Now I sound like the old person I am – sorry!)