I graduated from high school in the spring of 2014. I had planned on attending Michigan State University for a toxicology degree and had enrolled in the honors college on campus. I was signed up, I was pumped, and I was ready to leave home. However, as we all know, plans change. I ended up at Grand Valley State University, which has been one of the best decisions of my life.
I began my college journey in the Medical Lab Science degree, which is what I will be finishing in the coming year. I was so excited to get into a cool medical field that would put me close to the scopes and the hands-on procedures within a hospital.
Again, plans decided to change. I changed to every major under the sun: geography, statistics, behavioral neuroscience, allied health, biomedical sciences, even geology. In the end, I found myself right back in the same place - the MLS department.
All this changing has set me back a full year in my studies. I will finish as a 5th year senior with a BS in MLS and a minor in biology. I will graduate with a wonderful cohort of amazing people and walk for my diploma next April.
This all sounds great and dandy, right? No big deal! Almost done! It's not as simple as you may think.
To be honest, I was so disappointed in myself for getting behind in my schooling. I was mortified that I'd have to take out an extra loan for tuition and remain trapped in the confines of the lecture halls for another year. I beat myself up so much that I began searching for quick ways out and shorter degree programs.
I was worried about my future and how I would pay for my schooling as well as how my schooling would impact my future plans. I went and saw guidance counselors to get opinions and to try and finagle my way around the system and fit everything within 4 years. Through all this stress and all this anger, I eventually saw a light.
Though I will be behind, though I will have a little more to pay back, and though my life will be hectic for the next year while I finish, I am working towards a degree that I love and I'm doing so to better myself.
I am working towards a career that I can see myself in for decades upon decades. I'm working towards a career that I know my future children and my soon-to-be husband will be so proud of and will allow me to provide a better life for my family. Though the idea of "5-year senior" scared the crap out of me, the light at the end of the tunnel grew closer and I could see that all my work is going towards something beautiful.
When I sit down to study and glance at my social media profiles, I can't say that I'm not jealous of my high school classmates who are graduated and onto they're professional careers. And I can't say that the thought of having to go another year is comforting in the least bit.
What I can say is that I am sticking to it and not giving up; I am putting my best foot forward and finishing this degree; I am EXCITED for the future and to reap the benefits of everything I've worked for.
Hey, if you're in the same place I am and you're behind or if you don't know what major is out there for you, I want to give you some advice: SEARCH YOURSELF. If you don't search, you'll always wonder what was out there. I no longer regret my many major changes because I got so much insight into other fields besides my own. You'll never know your true calling until you step out of your comfort zone and look outside.
