It seems like no matter what, I, like many people in my age range -- and those in high school -- are often asked the same things over and over again until it feels like you could practically write a book about it. The questions become routine during gatherings or run-ins at Wal-Mart or from someone off social media who may/may not know you and you suddenly feel as if there is no way out and once the answers to the so-said question are out in the open, you immediately feel the judgement from the other person. It isn't uncommon to find yourself annoyed when the other decides to add their input, their two cents on what you should do or how should live your life/making decisions and it takes a few prayers to Jesus and whole lot of inner strength to make sure you hold yourself back until you find a quiet place to scream into your pillow, cuddle with your pet and eat your feelings in both Nutella and Ben&Jerry's ice cream.
I get it, curiosity gets the best of us. I'm guilty of doing this but it's normally when I first meet someone and I'm trying to get to know them better and it comes off as being like a super job interview and for that I am (slightly) sorry. And by 'slightly', I mean really really sorry.
Here's a --brief-- list of what I gladly appreciate you to not ask so much or if you do, please don't get all judgmental and picky or try to tell me what I should/shouldn't do. *Please take this into consideration for each and every 20-something (along with the high schoolers too!) :
1. What do you want to do with your life? For those of us going to college, that is the most nightmarish question you can ask us. We might be undecided or have one major in mind but later on change our mind once, twice, or a hundred/thousand/million/bazillion times. It's a very conflicting time in our life and you also need to take into consideration that WE ARE STILL FIGURING OURSELVES OUT. We're expected to be treated like an adult but at the same time, we still need that guidance from others.
2. Where do you see yourself in five or ten years from now? Why? WHy? WHY? Every professor, every family/friend or family friend or random stranger who saw you twice when you were a little baby munchkin but you have no recollection of this person whatsoever, asks this question. Not once but just about every. single. time. you see them. I have zero idea where or what I'll be at or doing five or ten years into the future. I might be besties with Jennifer Lawrence or Emilia Clarke. I might be working for a great news company in a brand new place. I might be married with kids traveling the world. I don't know and that's okay.
3. Why that field? You'd have more opportunities or make more money if picked ____ field. I picked this field or fields because its my passion. This is something that I can see myself doing, no questions, ifs/ands/buts about it. If I was going for work for money then I would torture myself by picking a profession that I hated and have zero interest in all while wasting money on my tuition, books, loans and sleep on. What's the point of going into something if your heart isn't in it?
4. What are your plans for the weekend/break? Anything fun? Sleeping. Because after spending the past five days or semester, I've woken up at the crack of dawn for an hour to listen to my professor(s) for an hour or so, pull so many late/all nighters that I can remember the last time I closed my eyes for more than five seconds when blinking. Yes, I also have some work to do before next week and I will get to it after I've had one good day of rest and a Venti Salted Caramel Mochafrappuccino from Starbucks.
5. How are you going to balance everything? I'm Wonder Woman and years of experience from doing pre-college career. I got this (and so does God and a whole lotta coffee and patience).
6. Are you getting along with your roommate/making good friends? Every freshman gets asked this at least twenty or more times a day by their family, friends back home, RA's, and even people who work on campus. After the fiftieth time, you nearly feel yourself ready to say, "Mr. Steak, you're my only friend." to everyone asking.
7. Have you met anyone special yet? Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell, I have seen a lot of the other specimen on my way to class and there are a few problems liiiiiiiiiike :
- They already have a significant other. How do I know this vital part of information? They either both are attached to each other at the hip every moment of the day.
-I browsed (a.k.a stalked) their ALL of their social media accounts : Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Possibly pulled a few hacking tricks from Mr. Robot to learn all the basic information about so said person. Nothing out of the normal.
- Person is not interested in me and I'm also pretty sure I'm invisible to this person so excuse me while I go buy 23 puppies.
8. Do you like all of your professors/classes so far? I mean, they're going okay but this 7-8 page paper that has more specifics than the terms and agreements is not and one, maybe two, of my professors are adding way too pressure and stress before the semester even starts. What madness is this?
9. Why that college/university? You could have gotten it better at this one or that one and be done quicker. It's my decision. I fell in love with this place. They gave me a great deal and helped me way more than the others. Just because you went somewhere and I liked/loved it, does not guarantee that I will or did. You can argue with me day, noon and night and until pigs are flying, cows are singing and dogs are talking but I will tell you, it's my decision and if I want to transfer or change schools, I will but that is my decision but if you feel that strongly about it, then please feel free to cover my tuition at my current school and the one you adore so much or I transfer to. K, thanks. No? Then please for the love of hazelnut goodness that is Nutella, please stop giving my crap over my decision.
10. What about your student loans? Never. Speak. Of. These. Demons. Again.
11. Do you ever see yourself getting married? Ummm..I don't know what I'm eating for lunch today or if I'll have time to binge watch my favorite show while working on that essay but I'll get back to you on that in about 89 years.
Look, I get that when we kiddos up and move off to this place and start finding ourselves and who we are and what we want with life, you still picture that seven year old little girl getting on the bus and telling that all she wants to do is be a Princess or that eight year old little boy playing football and wanting to be SuperMan or BatMan one day. It's tough to let go and you also want to get to know what's going on in our lives but please, give us some break with a these questions. We'll keep you posted as things come along in our life, I promise.
