It’s 7:30 AM and I’ve completed my daily workout, ate breakfast, and am now lounging on the couch with a cup of hazelnut coffee in hand and The Voice on TV. I basically feel like a senior citizen. Early bedtimes and wake-calls aside, I am a 20-something year old who is finally about to be done with school…. FOREVER. 

I think back to November 2010 when I wrote one of my first blog posts about applying to grad school. Here I am, two and a half years later. I applied and got accepted. I quit my full time job and traded it for full time school (which is basically two full time jobs combined!). This was a very scary experience for me. I’ve always been very independent and the thought of depending on others for two years, even it was just a little bit, was terrifying.

So a couple of years later I am smarter and more knowledgeable than I have ever been before. It’s not necessarily because of my overpriced, private school education but because of the experience that went along with it. Being a social work major, I spent the majority of the past four semesters focusing on self-awareness and reflection. I learned a lot about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses. I learned why the people in my life are how they are..both good and bad. I learned who was in my life for good and those who were there temporarily. I learned that I can’t like everybody and that not everybody is going to like me. I’ve learned that it’s okay to NOT be good at something. I still suck at presentations and I’m okay with that. My fear of failure has decreased as my ability to ask for help has increased. I learned that I can’t take care of everyone and everything all of the time.

I met new people, some of whom I have no idea how I ever lived my life without. I’m relieved and excited to be done with school. I’m eager to start my career as a social worker. It has been a long and difficult road, but one that I am so glad I decided to take.

Pursuing a Masters degree in Social Work was a dream I had for a long time. I knew I wasn’t going to be happy unless I was able to help people. I wanted to live my life with no regrets and live it to the fullest. I encourage you all to do the same. You don’t have to be wealthy, a genius, beautiful, skinny, athletic, or creative to pursue your dream. Just be you. Give it all you’ve got all the time. Life’s too short to be unhappy. Do everything you can to find the strength to start over. No matter how hard the road to the finish line is, it’s worth it.

Good luck! Xo