Flashback Fridays: Statement of Intent

Before my brother graduates from high school a month from now, he'll need to decide where he wants to go for college. My parents forced me to have a little talk with him--let him know his options, share my own experiences, and help guide him on the right path.

All this college-talk took me back to a time three years ago when I was just absolutely the most indecisive person and couldn't decide where I wanted to go to school. I guess my brother is in that same boat right now. I wanted to venture off from home and go to school in Southern California, but a part of me was really scared to make that commitment. Back and forth I contemplated mainly three choices. Finally on the last possible day to submit my statement of intent to register, I picked a school. I wasn't satisfied with my decision initially, wishing I had more time to decide. Prolonging things probably would have made the decision more difficult anyway, if anything. I was anxious and regretted my decision for the longest time. In retrospect, I don't think it was until my second month in college that I actually fully accepted my choice and started to embrace my school and my college experience.

At the end of the day, I can say sure, I occasionally ponder what life would be like at UCLA or UCSD, but I have been a Cal Bear for three years now and I've loved (mostly) every minute of it.

I look forward to hearing from my brother when he makes his decision. It'll be his start to a fantastic four years.

Digression: Anyhow, I just wanted to add that I have had the nicest, stress-free week. Thanks to everyone who made this possible!

Crystal Lately.

Long time, no posts.

I've just been feeling a little stressed out with school, feeling ridiculously uninspired and just plain lethargic at best. Study, eat ramen, sleep...as the routine went. I'm finally done with midterms, but I've still got a couple more papers left to churn out, but I'm hoping those won't be too bad. I'm slowly starting to pick myself back up. 7th-inning end-of-semester stretch, right?

I had a nice little conversation with some friends and acquaintances the other day about post-graduate plans and such. They were all business majors and to be honest, it was really nice not hearing the words "pre-med" or "med school" coming out of their mouths as I hear from most of the people I meet here on campus. These folks are so motivated and goal-oriented that they have inspired me to just suck it up and continue to do what I'm doing. I remember someone asking me how I felt about school and the workload I'm doing, and I responding by saying that at times I feel depressed. I quickly took that statement back because "depressed" is such a strong word, and depression is a serious mental issue. I'm not depressed, just occasionally down or discouraged, like the average college student.

It's just been really tough now that I'm essentially fulfilling requirements for three different areas of study--social welfare, education, and nursing, and it can be taxing. Throw in my terrible habit of comparing my life and situation with other folks' lives. I have friends studying abroad this semester and I'll just be honest here, I am jealous to say the least. Sometimes I think if I had planned my college career better and knew what I wanted to do from the start, I could be abroad as well. It's funny that the one thing I thought I knew I was going to do in college--study abroad--is the one thing that I definitely will not be doing. But that's life. It doesn't necessarily always work out as we've planned, and life is some crazy dynamic thing...I guess I've just gotta roll with the punches and just keep swimming.