“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” – Aristotle
Fresh Out of Hell
I didn’t go away to college after high school. I applied to a couple of universities but was not amused when the acceptance letters arrived in the mail.
Those who know me, know that I wanted nothing more than to experience something new. The college affair seemed like high school on steroids and I was not a fan of high school.
I couldn’t wrap my brain around the concept of massive student loans when I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Concerned adults confused my hesitation with being against education. I have never been against education, just skeptical of the business ethics of the traditional system.
There were a lot of signs popping up in my life and none of them pointed in the direction of a sorority house. At 17 years old, I craved self/world exploration. I wasn’t comfortable investing money, time, effort, and freedom solely to keep up with the timeline of many of my peers.
Major Musical Chairs
I took a semester off to travel. In January of 2017, I enrolled in my first semester online with a community college. My compromise was to take classes remotely so I could continue to work and travel. I bought as much time as I could by taking general education courses.
I started with the major of business and marketing, thinking I could use the knowledge and skills to fuel the entrepreneur part of my soul. It was bland and tedious. Too diluted for my taste. Some corporate marketing techniques toyed with ethics.
Right before moving to Los Angeles (end of 2017), I had an epiphany that I wanted to be a pilot. I found an aviation program. For a semester I had my nose in a FAR textbook and my heart in the sky. I was completely fascinated with aviation and romanticized the idea of living in a cockpit. I connected with pilots and instructors, asking countless questions about the career path. After a few months, I had the shitty realization that the career didn’t offer me the freedom and adventure I was looking for. Especially not within the continental United States.
**I just let go of my aviation textbooks almost 3 years later. I still can’t let go of my polo shirt.
I spent another semester feeling like I was doomed to be a college dropout. I managed to scrape up a few more gen-eds/electives to buy me some time while convincing myself I was being productive.
In the summer of 2019, I transferred to a university and began a Bachelor’s in Psychology. My passion for brain health convinced me it was my calling to work in mental health research. I took multiple psychology courses in previous college semesters and was deeply intrigued. A semester from hell later, I was beside myself thinking about several more years of academic and clinical schooling. Everything kept coming back to impairing my number one value. Freedom.
After final exams, I went to Miami. I sat in the front seat of the car sobbing about my academic career. I was a flake. I envied people who knew exactly what they wanted out of high school and could follow a secure path already walked by many others. I began asking myself questions.
Cultivation
What do you want to do?
Travel and explore. Have freedom in my life. Write books and articles. Photojournalism. Document. Research. Travel.
Do you need a degree?
Technically, no. But it is a good idea to get one while I have the energy.
Why do you want the degree?
It opens doors to paths I may not know about yet. Networking. It gives credibility to bigger projects I may want to work on throughout my life. I may want to do something that requires greater education one day. A bachelor’s degree is the foundation. Also, to build stronger self efficacy.
Why did you pick business and marketing?
Enticed by learning skills to sell my work and manage myself. Run my own show.
Why did you want to be a pilot?
Love for aviation, travel, and adventure. I’m at home on an airplane.
Why did you feel pulled towards research in psychology?
Documenting progression that can help people. Discover new information. Help people. Help people.
What ties all of these things together?
Documenting and researching my way around the globe.
What degree makes the most sense for a foundation?
**Google search** - “Degree for travel writers” - “What should someone who wants to travel study?” - “Research degrees” - “International study programs”
And there it was International Studies - the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM.
Finding The One
I attained information about the program and was more than satisfied. With this degree, I can branch off into a variety of work. But the most intriguing aspects are the limitless graduate school options. It is a broad subject that can translate to a Master’s in Journalism, Law, Politics, Public Health, etc. Even if my freelance career works out just fine, this attracts me because it leaves so many doors open for growth and divergent paths. I thrive when I know I have options.
I applied in December of 2019. My mom Facetimed me while I was in LA to show me my acceptance letter. Everything was coming full circle and this time I was thrilled to see the word “Congratulations!”
I started class May of 2020 and I’m excited to say, after this fall semester I will be nearly 70% done with the degree. The courses are dense and I suspect there will be many more meltdowns of screaming “WHY AM I DOING THIS?!”
#Seahawks
I’ve kept my studies on the down low because I never felt like a real student. I have been and will continue to be 100% online (apart from the flight portion of my aviation semester and the international study required for this degree). I thought that online school wasn’t real school, but 2020 has proven otherwise for everyone Kindergarten - Graduate School. It is education and it can often be more frustrating/difficult than in the classroom.
I wasn’t willing to put my dreams on hold so I wove my education into the background of my life. I take 3-4 classes a semester depending on my travel schedule and I complete 2-4 classes in the summer to catch up. My goal is to graduate in 2022, but I am in no rush.
A couple of weeks ago I took a trip to Wilmington to explore the campus. It was the day before the start of classes. The place was scattered with clusters of students. I hopped off my bike and was hit on by an athlete walking to the dining hall. I snickered to myself. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I went away to university. Who would I be friends with? Who would I be dating? Who would I be?
I’m taking pride in my unconventional, roller coaster of an academic path. I am a Junior, attending UNC Wilmington. I am a college student.