Collegiate/ Dreams

Well, I am proud to say that in less than one week, I will be entirely, completely, DONE with this semester. Finals, papers, all of it. Except that I have two research papers due Tuesday and two finals Friday, back-to-back. But I'm still happy.

I've been thinking about college. What a strange place it is. Never again will I get to be in a place surrounded by students, living, eating and working in the same area. All stressed over finals and midterms, together. All working toward something. All choosing to further their education.

I love a challenge. For one of my classes this semester, I walked in the very first day and the professor informed us that "This class will be your worst nightmare." To which I thought, "Challenge accepted."

   *Note: I thought that for about a day. When it came time to actually study for things, I wanted to cry.

I went home for a family party this weekend, and I was asked a lot of questions regarding what I wanted to do with my life. Honestly? I have no freaking clue. Did I tell people that? More or less, yes. Actually, I do know what I want to do, one day. But my immediate post-grad job? No idea. And I don't think that's a bad thing.

I think people get stuck in the idea that following college, they need to jump headfirst into their dream job, ready to tackle that cubicle and move up the ranks. I have been told (by some) not to tell people that I don't know what to do when I leave here, but does it matter? I feel like your early 20's is definitely not the time to box yourself into something. It's the time to say, "Yes, I'm going out into an unknown world to hopefully pursue my dreams. And I don't have that mapped out yet, but I am kind of excited to explore uncharted territory." 

So no, I don't know what I am doing when I graduate in May. I know I will move in with my boyfriend to the cute little room in his parents' house we've redone, and I know I have a fish named Lloyd who will move there with me. (If Lloydy pants makes it that long, but he's doing well!) And I do know that some people look down on me for that decision. The moving in with my boyfriend, not the having the fish part.

But, well...I don't care. I am the happiest I've ever been, and I am lucky to feel like the world is truly my oyster. Not everyone gets to dream freely.

As for my future? I want to be an author. And at some point, when I am seriously missing academia and all-nighters and that superhuman feeling of turning in a research paper, I plan to return for my master's, my doctorate, and become a professor. 

Do I know how to get there? No, not yet. I really don't even know how my media law paper is going to end. 

...But I'm hoping for a solid A.