I just got back from my appointment with my Career Development Counselor. Only a few hours later...no big deal! Turns out the receptionist that checked me in, didn't really check me in, so the counselor had no idea I was there for over an hour! Talk about feeling invisible.
After we got it all figured out, they had me in there pretty quick, and I took as much as I possibly could away from our discussion. She threw a lot at me all at once though, so it's hard to know how much will actually stick with me.
At the end I was left feeling almost as lost as I felt at the end of high school when everyone started asking the same questions.
What do you want to do? Where do you see yourself in the next few years? How will these courses help you towards your career of choice? Starting wage? Flexibility? Availability?
If I could have answered those questions back then I would have. I'd like to think that the timing simply wasn't right, and that I've had some time to think about it. Only, I didn't think about it at all.
It's both scary, and a bit of a relief to finally be moving forward with something, even if I'm not a hundred percent sure what that is at this exact moment.
First thing first, time to do some research! I'm thinking the smaller classes of a college setting will be better suited for me and my anxiety.
As it stands right now....I have no clue.
Any advice for someone going back to school? I would love to hear in the comments. :)
I hope you eventually find something that really suits you and that you'll excel at it. Being forgotten whilst waiting has happened to me a couple of times too. One time it was in the examination room at the Drs - I was so tired I fell asleep and the cleaning lady found me :-()
ReplyDeleteThanks! At least I'm not the only one that this has happened to :)
DeleteSometimes I found that career counselors simply follow their cookie-cutter questions and makes me really annoyed.
ReplyDeleteI found that a little bit too Athena. What I was trying to explain to her as my primary career goal, she didn't seem to care to hear too much about the details and was trying to push me towards something more conventional it seemed.
DeleteI went back to school a few years ago for a Master's degree and learned a few things:
ReplyDelete1) Make a spot in your home that is for studying. Otherwise, the books will be put away (i.e. taken off of the dinner table for meal time) and forgotten all too often! Bonus: no one will bother you when you are in this place.
2) Don't be to strict on a timeline for finishing. You are an adult with many more responsibilities and duties, and hobbies now, and school is just another of those. Of course, do your best, but if it takes you 4 years instead of the ambitious 2, that's ok :)
3) Online classes are ok! They fit in with your schedule and are less stressful.
Good luck!!!
Wow Michelle! These are great tips... I will definitely be doing numbers 1 and 2. Since I'm getting funding for school I'm not allowed to take online classes, though I can absolutely see how they would be a life saver. :) Thanks for reading, and for your thoughtful suggestions!
DeleteThanks Dex! I appreciate you reading them.
ReplyDelete