I’m only almost 27 so not much older but I can say doing my masters program was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Usually the programs are far more intimate and therefore the interactions feel very genuine. My department was super small but we all got to know each other’s interests and therefore would all help one another out! I was encouraged to do what I found important to my world view (my plug for the Humanties) and was then told that somehow I (ME?!) educated people with far more credentials than I and gave them a new perspective. I think in our 20’s we think we’re always in a position of deflecting and making ourselves second guess everything we do (trust me I’m right there with you and coincidentally my ask was on a similar topic of being in your late 20’s), but from my MA degree I learned the ways I could use MY voice and expertise to make change and accomplish something. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s hard at times. Even if you’re only reaching a few people. Or even if it’s for your personal growth alone. It’s STILL something you’ll look back on and say damn I did that!!!!
This is the best advice someone can give! Period. Mic Drop. Thank you Erika! Your 20s is about taking chances, making mistakes, getting messy - sorry Mrs. Frizzle came out there - but it's that uncertain feeling of OMG what is going on? What have I done? Is this path right? Should I be doing something more? And let me tell you - those were all the same feelings I had when I was in my 20s. I was a theater kid who turned to medicine and applying to a masters program at - 31! There are those of us who are late bloomers, those of us who know exactly what we want, and those of us who are still figuring it out, which is totally okay :) Education is never ever a waste, you could always find something within that degree that you love. I might be studying medicine but I still attend vocal lessons weekly and dance because you can't take the theater gal out of me, no matter what. You can have many interests in life, nothing wrong what that. You got this! I know you're going to do amazing! :)
Thank you for sharing this article! I too wish that someone, anyone, especially my guidance counselor, would share these types of encouraging words with me. "Everything can still be fine" is not only the mantra of this article, but of life as well. Sometimes we feel as though the darkness we are currently experiencing, but I am a firm believer of hope, that at the end of the day things will get better. My father was a special education teacher and what he loved most about his job was giving his students hope where their parents had failed them. He was able to help majority of his students go on to college or trade schools and wanted the best for them. He was a firm believer of the everything will work itself out as time goes on and as I continue to go through life, I bring those values with me.
Take what I have to say with a grain of salt lol because I’m a child abuse social worker and sometimes question all my life choices. For the first couple of years, I left my job crying and wondering if I chose poorly because of being so tenderhearted. There is severe empathy fatigue but I wanted to help others so, I've been here for ten years. When I first started college I threatened to quit, because of the major shock of going from a small TN high school to what I thought of at the time, as a sprawling and overwhelming campus. Lost my car the first day and had to get the campus police to help me find it. That was humbling 😆. I trusted myself academically but didn't have a clue about navigating the other parts of it (first-generation college student). I struggled some. I didn't let myself quit because I knew I wanted to be there even though I had no idea where to start. Be kind to yourself during times like that because they too will pass.
I want to say as well, that Millennials have certainly broken the social norms of where we should be at a certain age so don't let someone make you think you're not doing well because of that. There's no timeline and sometimes I think we are all flying blind. I'm in my thirties and still try to defer to the “adult” in the room until I remember that I am supposed to be the adult. Not to say that a different perspective is not important. Plans sometimes work out differently than you'd expect but not always for the negative. Some people think they have it all figured out and life throws a monkey wrench in it. You'll figure it out. Education for education’s sake is never a mistake. That's the fun part so enjoy that. You’re not married to every decision you make and if you're not where you want to be, it can be changed. There will always be setbacks but it doesn't mean you made the wrong decision. Persistence and resilience go a long way but trust yourself a bit and have faith. ❤️❤️
Not me wiping away tears, literally a leaf behind a rock right now wondering if my bigger goals are worth the fight. Thanks, this was the sign I was looking for. Please keep it up, you’re awesome doll!
I can only say thank you for this. Because when I was 22. I wish somebody had said that to me instead of what I was told by people who wanted to give 2 cents on a life they didn’t own. Thank you. For being honest and real and still hopeful.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you for this. Some of the voices screaming in my head just got a bit quieter.
I’m only almost 27 so not much older but I can say doing my masters program was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Usually the programs are far more intimate and therefore the interactions feel very genuine. My department was super small but we all got to know each other’s interests and therefore would all help one another out! I was encouraged to do what I found important to my world view (my plug for the Humanties) and was then told that somehow I (ME?!) educated people with far more credentials than I and gave them a new perspective. I think in our 20’s we think we’re always in a position of deflecting and making ourselves second guess everything we do (trust me I’m right there with you and coincidentally my ask was on a similar topic of being in your late 20’s), but from my MA degree I learned the ways I could use MY voice and expertise to make change and accomplish something. Even if it’s small. Even if it’s hard at times. Even if you’re only reaching a few people. Or even if it’s for your personal growth alone. It’s STILL something you’ll look back on and say damn I did that!!!!
Damn I DID That! needs to be on a shirt. Should we get merch?
This is the best advice someone can give! Period. Mic Drop. Thank you Erika! Your 20s is about taking chances, making mistakes, getting messy - sorry Mrs. Frizzle came out there - but it's that uncertain feeling of OMG what is going on? What have I done? Is this path right? Should I be doing something more? And let me tell you - those were all the same feelings I had when I was in my 20s. I was a theater kid who turned to medicine and applying to a masters program at - 31! There are those of us who are late bloomers, those of us who know exactly what we want, and those of us who are still figuring it out, which is totally okay :) Education is never ever a waste, you could always find something within that degree that you love. I might be studying medicine but I still attend vocal lessons weekly and dance because you can't take the theater gal out of me, no matter what. You can have many interests in life, nothing wrong what that. You got this! I know you're going to do amazing! :)
Yes!! I wish someone had shared sentiments like the ones beautifully articulated in this article with me when I was 18 and 23. linked here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/high-school-graduation-future.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
Thank you for sharing this article! I too wish that someone, anyone, especially my guidance counselor, would share these types of encouraging words with me. "Everything can still be fine" is not only the mantra of this article, but of life as well. Sometimes we feel as though the darkness we are currently experiencing, but I am a firm believer of hope, that at the end of the day things will get better. My father was a special education teacher and what he loved most about his job was giving his students hope where their parents had failed them. He was able to help majority of his students go on to college or trade schools and wanted the best for them. He was a firm believer of the everything will work itself out as time goes on and as I continue to go through life, I bring those values with me.
Take what I have to say with a grain of salt lol because I’m a child abuse social worker and sometimes question all my life choices. For the first couple of years, I left my job crying and wondering if I chose poorly because of being so tenderhearted. There is severe empathy fatigue but I wanted to help others so, I've been here for ten years. When I first started college I threatened to quit, because of the major shock of going from a small TN high school to what I thought of at the time, as a sprawling and overwhelming campus. Lost my car the first day and had to get the campus police to help me find it. That was humbling 😆. I trusted myself academically but didn't have a clue about navigating the other parts of it (first-generation college student). I struggled some. I didn't let myself quit because I knew I wanted to be there even though I had no idea where to start. Be kind to yourself during times like that because they too will pass.
I want to say as well, that Millennials have certainly broken the social norms of where we should be at a certain age so don't let someone make you think you're not doing well because of that. There's no timeline and sometimes I think we are all flying blind. I'm in my thirties and still try to defer to the “adult” in the room until I remember that I am supposed to be the adult. Not to say that a different perspective is not important. Plans sometimes work out differently than you'd expect but not always for the negative. Some people think they have it all figured out and life throws a monkey wrench in it. You'll figure it out. Education for education’s sake is never a mistake. That's the fun part so enjoy that. You’re not married to every decision you make and if you're not where you want to be, it can be changed. There will always be setbacks but it doesn't mean you made the wrong decision. Persistence and resilience go a long way but trust yourself a bit and have faith. ❤️❤️
To quote Sondheim. "The choice may have been mistaken. The choosing was not"
Not me wiping away tears, literally a leaf behind a rock right now wondering if my bigger goals are worth the fight. Thanks, this was the sign I was looking for. Please keep it up, you’re awesome doll!
Yes little leaf they are!! I promise!
I can only say thank you for this. Because when I was 22. I wish somebody had said that to me instead of what I was told by people who wanted to give 2 cents on a life they didn’t own. Thank you. For being honest and real and still hopeful.