Dear younger me... by laura

Dear younger me... by laura - August 2019 Scholarship Essay

As kids we are taught to go to school, work hard and prepare for college. All while being young carefree teenagers when frankly, we are still kids trying to balance homework, extracurricular activities, friendships and even jobs. Many of us living in a bubble of comfort with no responsibilities. Then we turn eighteen and we run off to college ready to be independent, even though we have lived under our parents’ rules and guidance and have no idea what we are doing. Starting your career path at eighteen can be a lot for some kids, especially when your biggest priority is making friends and finding the nearest party. I think most, if not everyone should have a gap year before starting a career path undecided at a $30,000 a year school. Looking back now, I know I could have taken a year off and used that time to learn about myself and allow myself time to mature.
My first year in college was an eye-opening experience. I was not prepared at all for what I was being asked to do as a student and as a young adult. I honestly had no true career passion and settled for the path of nursing. However, I did not realize how much work I signed up for. Additionally, I was eighteen and learning the perks of the freedom to eat, drink and do what I wanted. My priorities were skewed, and school was not number one. I slacked on my studies and allowed the party scene to take over. In my second quarter, I had the harsh realization that I may not get into nursing school if I did not prioritize school and bring up my grades. So, I worked hard and tried learned to balance my social life and education. Ultimately, I missed the cut off for nursing school by 0.5 in my GPA, I was devastated and had no back up plan. That next year I started my prerequisites and other required courses, continued to work hard on improving my GPA and got into The University of Cincinnati Nursing School.
I started my career path in nursing at twenty years old. I found that my motivation, determination and focus in life and school had changed dramatically in just two years. I was more responsible and driven. I constantly think how I should have taken time off before starting school to give myself perspective and allowing myself to grow. I could have saved a lot of time, money and tears in the process too.
I am now twenty-six years old with life experience that has changed how I would choose to spend my gap year when I was younger. First, my father passed away two weeks prior to my college graduation. He was sick my last collegiate year and lived in Florida. I was unable to take time off to see him as much as I would have liked. Therefore, the first few months of my gap year would be spending it with him. He was an independent contractor and was very skilled. I would take the time to learn some basic contracting, painting, and remodeling all while spending time with my father.
One of my favorite hobbies it is hiking. Much of my gap year time would be spent in a small mobile RV traveling across California, Colorado, Oregon and Montana in search of exquisite mountain ranges to hike on. I get so much fulfillment from exploring the beautiful scenery and challenging myself physically. It is an amazing feeling when you reach the summit of a climb, I feel so free and calm.
Lastly, my final excursion would be taking a two-month trip to Australia. I have always had a dream of going to Australia. My gap year would give me the time to explore their unique environment, indulge in their cuisine and learn about their culture. I would go snorkeling in their coral reefs and learn more about their unique wildlife. I have always wanted to go skydiving in Australia, jumping out of the plane and looking over such a beautiful country would just be amazing.
A gap year could be anything to anyone, traveling, working, meditating or just spending time with family. Allowing ourselves to grow and find our own path, rather than being pushed into something, is exactly what I believe every person should be able to experience. It would have been amazing to experience these memories and my personal spiritual growth. However, my journey has led me to a career in which I am successful and truly have a passion for. The path was different, but it has led me to become an amazing Emergency Room Trauma Nurse who is now going to graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner with hopes to go overseas and give medical help where needed.