I have made taken my first official steps to deciding what I am going to do when I grow up. With graduation looming over my head, I feel like everyday I am faced with the small, but constant, panic of what I am going to do after May 10. Over the past four years I have gone through several phases. I came into college wanting to be a youth minister. My passion for youth is still there, but I don't feel called in that direction at this time. My sophomore year I was sure that I wanted to become fluent in Spanish and go to law school and help immigrants in the United States. After looking into different law schools, I realized VERY QUICKLY that it's not for me. I have gone through a slew of social justice issues which has raised interest in policy for inner city schools, prison administration, and helping abused women. All of these interests have arisen due to what I am learning in school. Basically, I love school. I want to be a student forever. How can I do that? I am going into academia! Yes, I am going to be a University Professor when I grow up. I am going to go to grad school and then work on my PhD. I am going to go to class and teach all of the interesting things that I have learned while continuing my own education. I am very excited!
That being said, I am excited for a break from school. I have worked very hard these past four years, and I have worked up an appetite for some peace and quiet. That's where my best friend from high school comes into the picture. She is not graduating until next December, and when she does, she is planning on hiking the AT, The Appalachian Trail.
What does this have to do with me? She has invited me to join her!!
Imagine! 2,179 miles stretching from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Five to seven months with a heavy pack on my back and tons of dangers to run into. I could run into trouble through my own fault, which would come in the form of me falling down and twisting my ankle. I could be bitten by a snake or attacked by a bear. A stranger could come up onto the path where it crosses through town and attack us, and, of course, I could get dehydrated and need to be carried off. I am putting all fears behind me, because this is something that I want to do. I want to commit myself to this intense challenge, and then I will go to grad school. Then, when I am tired and don't want to study anymore, I can say, HEY, LAUREN, YOU ROCKED THE AT, YOU GOT THIS! Hahaha ok, that's not the reason why I want to hike it, but that is some pretty great motivation nonetheless.
Over these next few months I will be preparing for the GRE. After that I will start applying for grad schools for the following fall. I am really excited for this year off, because I think that it will help me prepare mentally for furthering my education. I love learning. I don't ever want it to become something that doesn't excite me, so I am going to back off from intensive studying after graduation. Now all I have to do is figure out what I will be doing from the time I graduate to the time we start hiking, which won't be until the end of March or beginning of April.
I am going to start reading up on the AT, and I will let you know all about the planning!
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