Keeping Busy
As a full-time student, trying to balance life on top of school and work is a hard thing. Between work and class, I sometimes forget that I need to take care of myself. But then I remember why I’m doing all of this in the first place, as coming to Western wasn’t my first choice, but it ultimately became my best choice in the end.
When I first graduated high school in 2022, I went to the University of Wyoming for my first year of college. I had gone in thinking I was going to get my degree in fishery biology and management as that was the closest thing I could do that would be somewhat close to a degree in marine biology. During that first semester, I was asked the question where do you see yourself in 5, 10, and 15 years. Normally I would have said the normal stuff about having a job, having a home, and being happy, but I stopped and thought about what I really saw for my future, and working for the national parks wasn’t something I saw myself doing. So, I decided that instead of completing my classes, I just wouldn’t show up. Don’t do that, that was a really stupid mistake on my part. Because of that I didn’t have the chance to withdraw from some of my classes.
Afterward, I tried going into elementary education, but eventually it turned out that it wasn’t for me, no matter how much being an educator runs in my family. So, the same as before, I kinda stopped going to classes. The most I did was go to band and my practicum as I enjoyed spending time and helping out at a preschool. During the time I was supposed to be at class, I was working instead. I knew that I had to continue doing something, and working was what I did to keep myself busy. At the end of the year, I knew that I needed to go back home and reassess my education with the support of my family to make sure I held myself accountable.
So, I came to Western to get my general associates. While here I’ve worked several jobs; my first year in the Peer Tutoring Center as a writing tutor and at TJ Maxx. This year I continued to work for the Peer Tutoring Center and I’m working for Sodexo on campus. Keeping myself busy with work, in and outside of the classroom, will be what helps me make sure I can go back to the University of Wyoming.
Everyone has their story, what’s yours?
