Growing up, I always knew I wanted to do one thing: help people. My career aspirations fluctuated over time, but all fell under the general umbrella of helping people. Pediatrician. Forensic scientist. Teacher. Journalist. When I came across Occupational Therapy, I thought I had found the perfect fit for me. I would be able to help people, and I could work with children. I even got into a great school for Health Sciences. My first year of school, I was extremely excited to learn anything I could. Both inside and outside the classroom. I wanted to experience everything college had to offer. I honestly think that I was so focused on college itself, that I didn't even realize that I hated what I was studying. I was so caught up in keeping my grades up, making friends, and experiencing as much as I could that I didn't see how unhappy I was. I just wanted to be part of the hype.
After an epic summer of working as a camp counselor and meeting so many incredible people, going into my second year, I started thinking that I wanted something more. I continued going through the motions, studying Occupational Therapy, and trying to force myself to love it as much as everyone around me did. All of my friends who were OT majors seemed to be incredibly passionate about their future plans, while I seemed to be wavering with uncertainty. I started second guessing my future, but I kept pushing through.
I was sitting on my bed writing a paper for my OT class when I had a nervous breakdown. I started crying and I just couldn't stop. I realized exactly how unhappy I was, and how much I needed something to change. I could no longer picture myself being an OT. I didn't know exactly what I wanted, but I knew occupational therapy was not it. After this realization, I knew I needed to figure out what to do next. I thought I lot about who I was as a person, what I loved, and what I was good at. I narrowed my new major down to three options: nursing, education, and social work. After a lot more consideration, a lot more crying, and a lot of sleepless nights, I finally decided that my heart belonged in the field of social work. The period of figuring out I needed a change to deciding what I wanted to do was a 10-day span of panic attacks and very little sleep. It was without a doubt the hardest decision I've ever made.
Finally deciding to take this leap of faith and turn my life upside down was absolutely crazy, but it took a giant weight off of my chest. Finishing my last semester as an OT major was extremely bittersweet. The girls I got to study with are absolutely incredible. The work itself is incredibly admirable, and I was heavily inspired by what I learned. However, I am so much happier now. I feel as though my life is headed in the direction I want to go in, and I can't wait to impact the world and the children in it. I know that my skills are more suited for social work, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. My mind and heart are so prepared for what this road has to offer me.
