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| Frank Fullerton, Class 2013, BS/MS/MBA Thermonuclearbipartisansponandfork Electrochemistry, PhD |
There is most certainly going to be a time where "chasing your dreams" will probably have to stop. I don't know when that is. It's different for everyone. But it exists. I personally think that if you have a BS in something, or you're approaching your 2nd to last year in college/university your life is pretty much wet cement waiting to dry. As in, yes there is still time to get your shit together, but it's going to have to deal with something you're studying right now or else no one is going to be around to support you. It's tough love, I know, but I believe that some of these statements hold true. I'll take myself as an example.
I've been more comfortable putting my life out there on the interwebs mainly because I've come to a conclusion that I make videos/write blogs solely for my purposes. I'm not looking to gain any publicity or money from any of my content (unless of course I go viral for some strange reason). That being said, you should know that I graduated May 2011 with a B.S. in Chemistry, Math minor.
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Can I get an aside here? Just look up the top 10 hardest degrees in college. Go ahead. Impressive right?
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| This is me. Tooting my own horn. Also, iStock Photo. ... have I used this photo before? |
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Currently, I'm in school studying for my MS in Chemistry, while maintaining a full time job at BASF, The Chemical Company. (SPONSOR!) Was this what my dream was? HELL no. Is it interesting to me? Enough to keep me going. Now here's the kicker: am I happy? Not as much as I could be. People are always telling you to do what you love or else work will be a miserable thing. The thing is, I was under a lot of pressure from my parents, my peers, society, and the economy to put my head on straight. Parents want doctor or pharmacist, friends want some crazy ass degree I've never heard of, society encourages money, etc. What did I want to do? I wanted to be a game designer/tester and work for Nintendo. That's my dream. I wouldn't give an indication on whether or not it was my dream or if it still is my dream. I've accepted the fact that it doesn't matter. Why didn't I choose to go that route right after high school? Weren't you paying attention? I was too busy being bugged about being something I didn't want to do. I ended up taking weird engineering classes, home ec (cuz chef, amirite?), and other things. I STILL get emails for engineering programs, I'm not interested anymore dammit! Is this my fault? Yes and no for giving into the pressures around me. When I got into college undeclared, I took a slight interest in Pharmacy, though I had to start off with a science major first. I knew I hated biology, so I chose chemistry instead. The rest is history.
Now peep this. At the time of writing this, I'm 23. People older than me will think that's pretty young. People younger than me will think that's pretty old. Is it old enough to give up on my dream? Age wise, I don't really believe so, but I've reached the point in my life where buckling down and getting ready to get my shit together is a priority. My (blessed and super awesome) parents put me through school and I don't want them to wait any longer to let them know I'm able to take care of myself. That's the thing. My parents were ready to settle down, and they had me when they were 28ish, I think. That's 5 years from now for me. If I wanted to start up again and apply to college, spend another 4 years for a degree in art or something, then another amount of years to finally get what I want. Ain't nobody got time - or the money - fo dat.
This animosity might come from experience. As previously stated, my parents paid for college. They also paid for my older sister, who is still in school because she made the noble, and respectable decision to switch majors and do what she wants to do. The problem with that is that she chose to do so 1 year before graduating with a BS in psychology. Why not just finish? Then take your OWN money and chase your dream yourself. Our parents work hard enough to provide. No need to shave off more of their years because you decided 3 years into college that it wasn't for you. (end of mini rant)
I know that times have changed. People are poor. If you're going to decide to chase your dreams, do it on your own expense and time. If you're blessed with a debt free tuition, then you better stick with what you get and make the best of it. That's what I did. There is a time where chasing your dreams is no longer an option. That's why they call it a dream. I hate to be Debbie Downer but it's true.
I've realized that this entry may have taken a life of it's own. Not even sure if I got my original point across.
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| I can't do anything right. Waahh wahh wahh wahhhhhhhhhh |
ta ta kids
