Wednesday, 12 November 2008
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When is too late, too late?
I graduated highschool in 2004.
Now...let me give you a little background information before I just jump into this. Previous to graduating, I had a big university picked out. It was about 3 hours away from home. I was ready and excited to start a new chapter in my life. I had all the details ready, even down to my room-mate for the freshman dorms.
Now..being a Pastor's daughter, I have always been a pretty big "Daddy's girl". So anything he said, I listened and obeyed. I remember the day my father sat me down like it was yesterday. Graduation was only a month away, and I was more than ready. I had no idea what was coming when my dad told me I needed to stay home. He literally begged me to stay in town and to attend a community college. He dangled a car in my face, money, and a place to stay. Out of fear (or just plain stupidity) I made the decision to stay home. I could not resist the tears streaming down his face. He needed me, and I thought that I needed him as well.
Shortly after, I went to a community college....err..uhm...ahem. Well, I guess you could say I "tried" a community college. I didnt make it too far into the school year before I realized " I have FREEDOM!!" Things got a little crazy after that. I started hanging out with the party goers and rarely went to class. I eventually dropped out, but not before receiving a few college credits.
After that, I went through a rebellious stage. I guess it was because I never did when I was in highschool. Anyway, I ended up going through several decent paying jobs. That brings us to where I am now. I am WAYpast the "party" stage...I have realized what is important in life, and I have a good sales job where I sit at a desk all day long.
The fact of the matter is, is that I hate my job. It is SO boring. I dont want to do this for the rest of my life. I keep thinking in the back of my head "I was meant for more than this, I am capable of so much more". I have had alot of thoughts in my head lately... like, "What do I need to do to love my life again?"
I have been thinking about quitting my job and going back to college to be a full time student. I want to be around kids, I want to be a teacher. I know I would be great at it, and I know that it would make me happy. I think that I could make a difference that way.... And for the first time in my life, I actually have the motivation to do so. I keep telling myself that I could get school loans out, get a part time job, and do the collge thing the "right" way.
But I am deathly afraid, so much so that I don't know what to do with myself. What if I can't make it, what if I can't do it? I don't know where to start, and I feel like I have no one to help me figure it out. I just want a change, I NEED a change.
I am scared but at the same time I feel like it would be the right thing to do. I feel like a million pounds have just been lifted off my shoulders when I begin to think about actually doing "something" with my life. I just dont know though... When is too late, too late?
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Comments (31)
I've got one degree but want to go back for graphic design. Wish I could but I can't afford it now. So I'm planning on filling out my FAFSA after tax season next year and heading back. Pete
It's only too late when you're dead.
Research what you want to do and how you'd go about doing it and then just kick your own ass and do it.
It's never too late. I'm 27 and plan to go back for my M.A. at some point, and I received my B.A. 5 years ago. If this is something that will make you happier with your life and your future, go for it!
It's not too late. I support you 100% with going back to school to gain a career you love.
i agree with slade - its only too late when youre dead - however you arent getting any younger. strive for your dreams babe, im positive youll make it.
it gets hard when you start a family and tied down with kids because they will become top priority. so i encourage you to follow your passion now and go what you love instead of a stable secure but BORING job. I'm in the same situation. I'm thinking about starting a small resturant with a couple of buddies of mine instead of working this boring 9-5 desk job.
when in doubt, pray.
Well I graduated highschool in 2002...went to a rather large private university near Chicago for 1 year. flunked out. moved home. and there's a bunch of other stuff that happened during 2002-2003 that got in the way of my education, some things my fault, some things not....i ended up back home, and little by little i've been taking community college classes, and i wish i could go back full time, but there's no way i could pay my bills and do that. so all i can do is a little at a time...and so i really dont have much advice. the only advice i have is it is never too late. if you want this, do it, even if you can't go full time, and only go part time. it's better than nothing. you'll be in my thoughts & prayers Holly. Take Care.
Good lord! You are so, way, way too young to be even thinking that it is too late for anything! If you have gotten the party out of your system, there is nothing wrong with getting serious and making that change today. People go to college a bit later for many different reasons, and since they tend to be more focused, they do better when they do. If you want to make the change, make it!
LOL! Too late . . . that's cute. What are you? Like 22? Please.
Go back to school full time. Be a wonderful teacher, especially if you feel like that's what God is calling you to be (and it sounds like He might be). Heaven knows that school's need all the passionate, caring (and qualified) teachers they can get.
On a more personal note, however, I hope you and your dad have talked through the whole transitional phase thing. A parent's main job in life is to prepare their child - and to let them go when they (legally) want to leave.
Go back to school!! That would be awesome!
Hopefully when I'm in ministry and me and my wife (whoever she is) have kids, I'll be able to raise them in a way where they're not stereotypical pastor's kids. I want to make sure they're not raised into legalism.
Oh, and it's definitely not too late. I'm 28 now, and just started ministry school this year. There are people in school much older than me. And when I went to school for graphic design, there were some people there older than me too.
"What do I need to do to love my life again?" I need to print that and tape it to my bathroom mirror.
This won't be the last time you feel this way BTW. When we love our life we are rarely self-reflective or even recognize the fact we love it.
Props to you for being able to so beautifully write what so many of us are feeling.
oh shush, you're my age and i'm still in school. it's not too late, though you may want to start slow and transition into it via community college again. don't worry, you've worked and all, while i've just been in school the past 5 years - with another one coming. it's not like you've wasted your time, i know people that are near 30 going to school, it's not too late! and i know what you mean about the whole freedom thing, i went overboard too which is why i'm still in school. but you can do it! good luck with your decision!
I'm in a very, very similar place right now.
I was working on my education degree just a few months ago, and now it feels like I'll never get back.
My job pays well but sucks otherwise. I feel like my life has stagnated in the worst way sometimes.
You'll come out of this. It's never too late, it's just a struggle.
I graduated high school in 1994. I went to college in 2004 and graduated in 2008 (this past september). Best move I ever made. I was just as scared, just as worried, what if I don't make it, what if I fail. Difference is, I was at a different place, a different time. I had a passion to go, I wasn't going to prove anything to anyone, nor was I going because it was customary to go. I was going to college because I wanted more just like you. I also flunked out of a community college in 1995 - so I know exactly where you are coming from.
Next week I start my first real job. I am so excited because my life is so much better now that I went to college, got the education I wanted so I can have the type of job I now have along with the reassurance that I can always move forward. I would say to you, do whatever it takes to get into school and give it your best. You are probably more capable than you think. Sure it may be tough at first because you are playing catch-up with the freshmen peeps who are fresh out of high school, but once you get going, you will probably be above the majority of your class due to your passion and desire to take something from college. So just go for it and don't look back! Seems daunting, but you can totally do it!
I say go for it! I graduated high school in 2004 also.
I went through the exact same thing as you... accepted to the major universities in CA ... but was "forced" into a community college. rebelled, dropped out.
However, I went back, and now I'm where i would have been 4 years ago at a major University and I am absolutely loving it. I do feel self conscious sometimes when students are 18 in my classes... being 22 and all! Regardless, every single person goes through different paths so don't compare yourself to others. Do what you feel like is right for you and what will make you ultimately happy!
Who told you its too late? What made you even think that!? You're so young. There's plenty of people out there older, way older, going back to school. Everyone had those fears of what if this or that, but you just gotta know what you want and go for it.If I can go to school and work and raise my daughter then there is no doubt in my mind that you can do it too. Don't think about everything all at once though because then you'll feel overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and remember you have all of us here and your loved ones standing behind you and we all believe in you!
Its most def. not to late.
Give'r
I don't think, it's ever to late. I just think, you need to sit down with your dad and talk to him about what you feel and what you ultimately want to do. Maybe, he can help you out. Where's your mom in all this?
It really never is too late. In every big lecture class I have I always see at least one person who's in their 50's or 60's, and hell, they're giving the old college thing another go. Just do it! No regrets.
hey girl, well we all do learn something in our journey of life. I do not like what i am doing now as well, i mean the course i am taking..i wanted to be a dancer, yet i did not take up any dance classes i wanted to take up at least one dance class to improve my skills as i am also serving in my church in dance ministry..It is never too late to start a new chapter of your life. I am planning to take up a class by next month or perhaps beginning of next year! It is by a single step we are all different! =p
not that it's NEVER too late.. but it definitely isn't for you... my dad's in his mid-40s and he's still in college.. don't get me wrong he's a dentist back in our country but with 5 kids, and not-so-wifey-material wife then separating after 16, 17, 18 years (i don't really remember) he barely had time for it.. it wasn't too late but he did have a lot on his plate.. btw i was awful during all this.. spoiled rotten, rebellious, talking back jerk and then some. but after the white waters things are still not calm (new baby frm a new wife and immediate need to be married) but things are a little easier for him since i've moved out haaha so he can FINALLY go to college and he did. so why should it be too late for you, right?
It's never too late. You are still young, Go for it! It is great that you have the motivation and know what you want to do. Do it! Go go girl!Â
I am in the exact situation as you right now. I am deciding whether or not to go back to school. You have to think of the loans, the time, the sacrifices, etc but remember why you are doing it. Yes, it will take 3 years but those three years will go by so quickly. If you don't do it, next thing you know, you'll be saying, 'If I had gone back, I would have my degree by now.' If getting a degree and teaching makes you happy, then that is what you have to do. My Dad went to University when he was 30 something and I remember being at his graduation. He is now a well respected lawyer and couldn't be happier. It is never too late- I graduated highschool a year before you and I have just started my University applications. It is never too late when it comes to your happiness. Go for it!