Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

Dragonflower says,

It will, Layne, it will. Whatever it is, it will be worth it because you are doing it.

Layne says,

Just curious, did you know what you wanted to do with your life when you were in high school?

Dragonflower says,

Yes. But I wished I had someone who would have guided me in a better direction. I also think that sometimes you don't really know what you would like to do until you are out in the world for a bit. It seems to me, and this is just my opinion based on my experience (and my daughter's) -- the best thing to do is to get the BA or BS very soon after h.s. And it doesn't really matters too much in what. Something close to your field of interest is good enough.

Then, if you decide in your 20s you want to do something else or go on for your masters, you already have your college degree foundation and specialzing in a particular area, adding to your existing education, is much easier than starting from scratch. Once you start working, without a degree (which can be tempting just to have money and freedom), going back to school later is a real challenge. My daughter has creative interests but wasn't interested in school. She got her AA but then stopped to work for a while. Now her job isn't fulfilling her creative side and she'd like to do something different. For example, she would love to direct stage plays. She has lots of experience, but no one would hire her or even really try out her because she doesn't have a theater arts degree, just the liberal arts AA. She's taking online classes while working and being married and its tough.

Some hs kids know exactly what they want to do. It's ok to be uncertain, but you still want to get that first college degree. Things unfold for you after a time. There is a lot of pressure for hs kids to "know" what exactly they want to do. It is really, really ok not to know. I hope you can sort that out for yourself to take some of the pressure off so you can have some fun. You are going to do great in life. It just doesnt have to be figured out this minute. You really do have time.

Dragonflower says,

When I say hs kids, I mean high school students. Didn't mean to be disrespectful calling you "kids".

Layne says,

I'm only a sophomore and my parents want to start scouting me, putting my name out there to the top schools. I think it's a good idea but it's also a scary one thinking I have to grow up soon. I don't really know what I want to do, especially because I've always pushed myself in everything so I never really tightened the focus on one subject. I have time, and thank you for reassuring that, but going into college (which there is no doubt I'm going right out of high school) and some direction would be helpful for the money that it'll cost to make the most of my time there. Also, I don't mind the term 'hs kids' it makes me feel like I'm not growing up too fast! but nonetheless the sensitivity to that is appreciated:)

Dragonflower says,

I know what you mean about having some direction as to what to do in college. Have you by any chance, watched a show called, Felicity? I watched it on Netflix, so not sure if was a TV show, but I think it was. This girl goes to a college back east, thinking she's going to be a doctor like her dad (parents kind of push her), but she finds out she really wants to be an artist.

The cost of college and the fact your parents may be paying for it, make it seem all the more "important" that you know what you want. What I've learned, is doing something you really, really like makes your life work enjoyabale. What do you really, really like? Have you worked at all? Have you volunteered at anything? When I was your age, I worked summers at a church nursery school as an aide. I put away tricycles and made snack! But I loved the kids so much! They seemed to like me too. Looking back, had I thought about that and the joy it gave me, I would have been good at being a teacher for young kids, like K-3 or preschool. This passion never went away. When my daughter was 8, I worked p/t at an afterschool daycare program and basically did the same things I did when I was 15!! Again, the kids really liked me, but I couldn't do much because I didn't have the right credentials. So, maybe if you think about something you really, really like - that will help guide you!

I hope you find ways to enjoy being a teenager. I had to grow up really fast, so I never got to enjoy those years. I never learned just to kick back and relax and it has taken me until now, to learn how!!

Good luck with school this week and your extra activities! I would love to see a six from you about something fun that you did and how you enjoyed it.

Layne says,

I work as a sailing instructor during the summer and it's what I love the most. Being out on the open water all day and goofing around with the kids to make it fun is the best job I could ask for. I also love meteorology which is nice because it helps my sailing knowing weather and wind patterns. The only problem is that meteorology is a tough field to get a job in, and it doesn't pay well. My whole family is made up of doctors but I was blessed with a pathelogical fear of needles so I can't make it through a dissection without passing out. My parents are fine with this, but I know all my dad wants is for me to take over his business someday even if he'll never admit it.

I've also thought about being an English teacher. I've always connected with my English teachers the most. They have the freedom to be real outside of school and just talk, trust, and give great real world advice. I want to help kids like that so they don't have to go at life alone. Again with this, however, I could be so much more in my life, like life changing science research Nobel prize winning material, but I really don't like biology.

Challenge accepted:) I think I'm going to have a 'me' weekend. Maybe I deserve it. Usually I write from a somewhat dark place but blissful writing may be a nice change.

Dragonflower says,

Yay for you on the 'me' weekend thing!

I think you are on the right track about thinking of things you enjoy. Don't give up on them because they don't seem to translate into a big, lucrative job. They might if you let them simmer. Remain open to all kinds of possibilities.

Have fun this weekend. You do deserve it. !!