I am a bit obsessive when it comes to planning ahead. As the oldest of 7 very active kids, one quickly learns to plan far in advance. So, when I make decisions, I always research fully and plan extensively. Who I am is a girl who likes to be well-informed. And, though the reasons I am here may be less than glowing, I am happy to say that it has all worked out.
Decisions (at least my decisions) normally feel rather anti-climatic. In deciding, a world of extravagant possibilities is narrowed down to meager reality. I had visited many colleges up and down the eastern seaboard. My teachers were all expecting great things. I chose UMBC. After years of planning and scheming, the actual decision to go to UMBC took only a day or two. After considering the packages offered me by the various schools, my bank account made my decision for me (did I mention I’m the oldest of 7 kids?). I signed the necessary forms and was instantly an incoming freshman at a school that was not on the original short list.
As I go about picking classes, I write numerous rough drafts. I pore over the schedule of classes, and obsess over the course catalog. I meet with way too many advisors. I inquire of friends and use RateMyProfessor. In the end, though, I choose something. That something is the result of weeks of hemming and hawing, but in the end the choosing takes but a few minutes. I decide and then move on. I remember choosing AMST 222 in much the same fashion. I considered my options, bearing in mind the requirements for the Certificate. I consulted my advisor, Dr. Loviglio. I remembered how much I’d enjoyed AMST 100H with Professor King before. And then I just signed up, the 30 seconds it took to register a mockery of my hours of careful thought.
We’re told in high school that the college we choose should be a perfect fit for us; we shouldn’t mess this decision up or we may end up regretting it for the rest of our lives. We’re also told that if we don’t choose the right major, we’ll forever be miserable, wishing we had chosen a different path. Some even say to choose the right classes or a part of our undergraduate career will be wasted—a part we can never get back. I am a testament, however, to the fact that all things work together for good. Though UMBC was kind of a last resort decision, I’m a senior and have loved my time here. Though my classes have sometimes been chosen out of convenience, I don’t regret a single one. Now, as I face graduation, and the big scary world, I’m planning and researching more than ever. And, after much deliberation, my decision to apply to law school may soon be made with mere clicks of a mouse. From my experience, I'm sure whatever I choose will work out.
13 comments:
I just read Dr. King's blog and realized that I could have maybe been a little less serious in my blog (and I should have skipped a line between paragraphs!). In case anybody cares (and on a lighter note), I like popcorn, Lost, Facebook, living on a farm , and mindless TV.
Cairna,
Hello! I just read your blog, I am new to the whole blogging world too and yours was really good! 6 siblings!! Wow, that is amazing, they must really look up to you being that your the oldest. I have always wanted a large family so you should feel very fortunate. Its really good that they have an older sister showing them that college is the way to go! haha..anyways take care!
Thanks Mallory. I feel much better now.
Cliche as it may seem, my siblings really do look up to me. And I do feel very fortunate. I go home almost every weekend just to be with my family.
I think being in a big family is an acquired taste, however. A lot of people like the idea of a big family, but wouldn't necessarily like having a big family. It means completely giving up one's rights to ownership (of space, time, possessions, choices etc.) and subjecting one's self to constant mayhem and noise.
I guess you could say home is my respite from school and school is my respite from home. So, my schedule of half my time here (at school) and half my time at home is absolutely perfect.
We are so different. I am such a spur of the moment guy, while my girlfriend needs to have everything planned ahead of time. My mom is the same way, but I haven't learned anything from her at all.
Hi Cairna. I'm one of 7 kids too! So I totally understand what your saying. I really like being in a big family and I wouldn't have it any other way. Even though it does get a little crazy sometimes.
Hi Cairna! I just read your blog and I totally identify with you on how you made your decision as to which college to attend. I visited nine different schools my senior year of high school and was already set to attend college at NYU (because like you said in your blog, people just seem to expect certain things from me). Long story short, I lasted all of two days in New York City before I was ready to come home. UMBC perfectly fits everything I wanted in a college and it seems to have that fit for you too. Best of luck in all your classes here!
Wow, that's a really big family. It must be great to have so many people to spend time with. I just have a younger sister but we aren't that close in age so we don't really get along
Hi Cairna,
Your blog was very interesting! Thats so neat that you are one of 7 kids! Are they brothers or sisters? I always wondered what it would be like to have that many kids in my family. I found it that you are very different than me when it comes to planning things out...I usually just go with it. I make rash decisions, some of these decisions are better than others but I usually end up happy! I am glad that you chose UMBC!
Hi, thanks for commenting on my blog..I am VERY new to the blogging world, i think yours was damn good. I actually have 4 siblings so i know how it can be sometimes, but i am actually the youngest. But best of luck this semester.
- Jason
Hi Cairna. I also use ratemyprofessors.com to be infinitley helpful when choosing classes each semester. It's funny to think how the person teaching can either cement your interest or destroy your love for a subject forever.
Ya know, there's nothing to be ashamed of with planning ahead. In fact, I'm a planner too... or at least I try to be. I should also mention that I'm a tad on the OCD side too. I'm glad to hear that the decision to come to UMBC has been a good one, so far. The same goes for me, and I've still got a ways to go, since I'm a sophomore. Best of luck with the decision-making after college. I'm sure everything will work out. I'm also sure that I'll be in your shoes in about two or three years!!!
What you said about people telling you to not waste your time in college makes me laugh. I had people telling me almost the exact opposite. almost everyone gets a career in a field outside their degree, so it doesn't really matter that much. All it did was make me feel better about being undecided though...
hmm... that last post was by me (ryan riehl). Maybe I should change my posting name.
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