If not now then when?

On May 19th 2017 I completed my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. On May 21st 2017 I graduated from Whitworth University. I am trying to reflect on the last 4 years of my education and the journey that I have been on.

When I graduated high school I had no desire to go to college. I didn't know what I wanted to do in life. All I knew is that I didn't want to spend A LOT of money on a degree I might not use. I also had this believe that I was not smart enough for college. That I only got through high school on pure luck and that my sister helped me with all my homework. My mom and sister both spent countless hours going over my papers and math homework. You see, I have a learning disability called dysgraphia. 

For more information 

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dysgraphia/understanding-dysgraphia

That disability caused me to doubt myself and my ABILITY to succeed. To tell you the truth I don't think I would have been a successful college student right out of high school. I didn't have the drive or passion. So I went out and got some "life" experience. I worked several different jobs and discovered that in the deepest part of my heart I wanted to help people. The more I worked with people the more I realized how we are all searching for answers. I wanted to help people find their healing. I started looking up different jobs that I could get that would allow me to help with this process. I soon came to discover that most jobs in that field had a degree in psychology. I was still anti college so I put the dream aside and continued working.

One night I was dinking around on Pinterest and came across this quote...

I had been thinking of signing up for classes at Sierra College (local JC in Truckee, CA) but I wouldn't because of how old I was and the time that it would take to finish. But after reading this quote I went straight to the college website and signed myself up. I didn't have a plan but knew that I had to do something. After going through all the finical aid business I qualified for a grant and had my first two years of college completely paid for! That just confirmed to me that this is what I needed to do. 

That is just the first half of my college journey. Many other amazing things happened and how I ended up at Whitworth is written in another post...I think. 

I am beyond grateful for my college experience. Professors have spoken into my life on a major level. They have encouraged me and given me applicable advice. When I have doubted they have helped lead me back. Whitworth means so much to me. I have learned things that I did not thing I would. I have been impacted in ways that can not be easily expressed. The investment that the professors give to their students is something that many people don't receive. I have seen them take time out of their personal lives to work with students who are trying their hardest but are still struggling. The have created classroom environments that encourage discussions on topics that are thought provoking. They encourage students to have an opinion but to honestly think of other people's opinions and work through disagreements together. They do not assume everyone is of Christian faith and have open door policies for everyone who needs a listening ear. 

That last point is so near to my heart. As many of you know these last 9 months have been the most difficult time of my life. I can not tell you how many times I ended up in my advisors office crying and questioning everything I thought I believed. She listened as I cried out in anger over the loss of my brother. No words needed to be said. How many colleges offer such a place? 

So here I am. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I decided to take a year off before grad school. Many reasons that I may or may not write about. But I know that it is what I need to do. I can't believe I have a college degree. I know that many do not have the opportunity to go to college. I feel honored and blessed to have the education I have. I know that not all are meant to go to college or even want to (I am a huge Mike Rowe fan) but I know for me I wouldn't change the course I took for anything. I have learned much and yet have much to learn. 

One final note. With anything you want to accomplish in life you are never to old, to broken, to far off track, or whatever excuse you may use. The time to start changing is now. Don't let time pass to make changes in your life. It may seem impossible or the changes may be "small" but they are a step in the right direction. When I started school I only took one class, Intro to Psychology. But that one class lit the fire that I needed. What is the one thing you can do to light your fire?