Everyone Has Choices
There are times in my life when I am reminded by Mr. H's choices speech. It's one of those lasting impressions he left on his students and quiz bowl teams. Everyone does have choices, and the trick is to make the right one. The right choice is the choice that works for you - the choice that gives you what you want, and you can never forget that you are responsible for the consequences of your decisions.
This week, a student who went on the Academic Year in Freiburg, Germany, gave a presentation in both my German classes, and both times I was sad that I am not going. I even went so far as to resent the College of Education, but, as Brianna pointed out, I can't really blame them because the education system in Germany is completely different than the one here. So any education courses I would take would not apply to any education courses here.
So every time I say that I can't go to Freiburg, that really translates into "I'm making the choice to complete 2008-2009 school year at MSU because I want to graduate." If I go to Freiburg, I will not graduate in 2009 because I have to take my two final education classes here. I'm sad that I am unable to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Freiburg, and I will really, really miss my friends who are going, but because I am staying here, I will graduate. Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment, so I really shouldn't be sad that I am choosing to stay here, but it's kind of hard not to be. The consequence of my choice not to go to Freiburg is graduating. I can deal with that consequence.
I keep thinking that if I'd figured out my major sooner, I would've been able to go and still graduate on time. However, I've decided that all those major changes gave me life experience. It allowed me to determine that I really do want to teach. I went back and forth for so long, but I am sure now, and I don't think that I would've been as sure if I hadn't tried so many other majors.
If I'd never been a marketing major, I never would've discovered that I hate economics. that discovery led me to discover the professional writing program. If I'd never been a professional writing major, I never (probably) would've gotten my job at TIC. If I hadn't been an English major, I never would've discovered how much I truly enjoy German. It all works out in the end. When I graduate I will be nearly 24, and I think by that time, I'll be a little more mature and more ready to enter "the real world," and I think in the end, that maturity will help me relate to my students and manage my classroom better.
I'll come to terms with this in time, but for now, I'm just going to be a little disappointed. Besides, I get to go to Mayen in this summer anyway. :D
This week, a student who went on the Academic Year in Freiburg, Germany, gave a presentation in both my German classes, and both times I was sad that I am not going. I even went so far as to resent the College of Education, but, as Brianna pointed out, I can't really blame them because the education system in Germany is completely different than the one here. So any education courses I would take would not apply to any education courses here.
So every time I say that I can't go to Freiburg, that really translates into "I'm making the choice to complete 2008-2009 school year at MSU because I want to graduate." If I go to Freiburg, I will not graduate in 2009 because I have to take my two final education classes here. I'm sad that I am unable to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Freiburg, and I will really, really miss my friends who are going, but because I am staying here, I will graduate. Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment, so I really shouldn't be sad that I am choosing to stay here, but it's kind of hard not to be. The consequence of my choice not to go to Freiburg is graduating. I can deal with that consequence.
I keep thinking that if I'd figured out my major sooner, I would've been able to go and still graduate on time. However, I've decided that all those major changes gave me life experience. It allowed me to determine that I really do want to teach. I went back and forth for so long, but I am sure now, and I don't think that I would've been as sure if I hadn't tried so many other majors.
If I'd never been a marketing major, I never would've discovered that I hate economics. that discovery led me to discover the professional writing program. If I'd never been a professional writing major, I never (probably) would've gotten my job at TIC. If I hadn't been an English major, I never would've discovered how much I truly enjoy German. It all works out in the end. When I graduate I will be nearly 24, and I think by that time, I'll be a little more mature and more ready to enter "the real world," and I think in the end, that maturity will help me relate to my students and manage my classroom better.
I'll come to terms with this in time, but for now, I'm just going to be a little disappointed. Besides, I get to go to Mayen in this summer anyway. :D