Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Decisions, decisions

So as you know, I'm heading back to school.

In five days.

People keep asking me what I'm going to major in and to tell the truth, I've been agonizing about that all summer. (All summer, daily, hourly)

Nursing is my first pick, but it just so happens to be the hardest program to get into at BYU (or anywhere for that matter). To put it mildly, the competition is fierce. I have to have a 3.8 just to be competitive, which for me means re-taking B's to bring them up to A's (I currently have a 3.5).
These were classes I took when I was seventeen. How's that for being haunted by your past?

The nursing program is rigorous. You are not even supposed to have a job. Hah!! I kind of have a BIG job that just so happens to be the most important one I'll ever have. It's called M-O-M. Can't get those years back. Missing class because one of my kids is sick or has a program at school puts me in a bad position because with labs if you miss it is a bear to make up. I don't really want to be faced with that choice on a regular basis. I can't exactly get a sub.

So after much thought, debate, prayer, etc. I've switched my major to my second choice, teaching English in secondary education. The classes will be so much easier for my little brain and a third of them are offered online.

I have to admit that I was fighting it pretty hard because here in Utah you don't get paid to be a teacher. I guess that makes for some good ones here because you know they aren't exactly in it for the money. (If you don't believe me Google "Nebo School District Salary" to see what my kid's teachers are getting paid.) I know it sounds selfish, but I like to get paid for what I do. As Adam Sandler once said in a job interview, "No, sir, I have no experience but I'm a big fan of money. I like it, I use it, I have a little. I keep it in a jar on top of my refrigerator. I'd like to put more in that jar. That's where you come in."

So there you have it, I'm shallow. The bummer deal is that having decided so late I am having trouble getting into my classes (though there is going to be a very happy person getting into my vacant 10am Chemistry slot!)

Funny thing is when I walked into Nathaniel's school for the Open House I looked around and thought, "I could be happy doing this". At the time I was still a declared major in nursing.

Who knows if I'll be happy doing it. That is the most agonizing thing of all, deciding what you want to do and wondering if you will be happy doing it for the rest of your working life.

All I know is the nursing students at BYU can feel lucky they don't have me for their competition anymore. I'm vicious.

1 comment:

Sally said...

April, you're an awesome writer! Of course you should teach English to silly Utah kids! They'll love you! Teaching is basically getting paid something for lots of volunteering. Kinda like compassionate service, with cash.