Suggestions for a big decision

[pkaugust]

There are many women on this board with more wisdom from years than I have - I've thought about this off and on, and more in depth recently for a few months.

Here's the tentative life plan right now,

- Finish undergraduate in Rhode Island
- Complete Master's in Managerial Accounting in Dallas, TX
- Complete dual Master's in Children's Literature and Writing for Children in Boston (either at night or during the day, unsure)


Somewhere in between this time, I want/need to take year off. There are things that factor in...
- When I decide to start a business-related occupation
- If Paul will be unable to take off from the business he's starting
- My pops, haha

I don't just want to take a year off - I want to take a year off and travel around the world. I don't really care about flying on cheap flights like Ryan Air, or using things like couchsurfers.com (or the other websites like this), or trains, or any transportation, I'm extremely lucky that my Catholic mentor is well-traveled and has an extended network of family and friends who I could ask for their help, and my father's best friend is from Japan and I've had an open invitation into their home since I was young(er) (I'm 20 right now), these aren't the things that worry me. What worries me is when to do it/if I should do it.

I know full and well once I start working, I'll be dedicated to that - I'm not going into business because I love it. I'm doing it because it provides a steady stream of income and I want to be able to support my family and my father and I happen to be good at finance. I'll be dedicated to building that career and sucked into the 2 weeks vacation - learning the ins and outs of financial savings tools and I won't have the freedom to do this. I want to do this though, very much so.

I just don't know when.

However, there are women here who have entered their occupations - traveled - done crazy things - gone places through multiple forms of transportation - started families, in short - women who I know can offer me strong advice from their own lives about when they found what best to do when for them.

So what I'm asking is, when do you think is the best time in a life to do this? When would you have done it (if you would have)? When would you tell your children to do this?

I appreciate your advice ladies. I enjoy this board and trust you all's word as you come from different walks of life and the best part is that you've all got good hearts. How lucky to find through something as unexpected as bags!

[nmcox]

I'm currently going through the same situation as you are right now. I've already entered the professional world, which to me was the best move to start with. Having a job (even a part time gig) is still getting your foot in the door.

I have beef with my university (they're good at screwing students over) and that alone is making me want to delay my entry into grad school. However, I know that if I don't stay in school, I won't come back. This seems to happen about 85% of the time with students. I've talked to Chris about it and even he's telling me not to take a break in between schooling.

So here's my advice, stay in it. Get a part time job, even if it's being a cashier at the grocery store. If you feel up to it mentally, put yourself on the fast track. I want out of school so badly that I'm willing to sacrifice my summers for 2 years in order to graduate a semester ahead of everyone else. And just think, after all the hard work, you'll get that stupid piece of paper saying that you busted your butt for 6-8 years and you'll feel better.

Good luck Kate

[Nancy]

I'm with Nicci. Right out of high school, I started at a community college here at home to save $. I HATED it so much to the point that I was getting physically sick on my way to school every morning. I started seeing the dumbass I wound up marrying during this time and started working instead of going back to school the next semester. I wound up getting married and we bought a house. We realized quickly we couldn't make it on what we made and decided to sell our house, move in with my parents, and I would quit work and go back to school. I DID go back, but during this time he knocked his girlfriend up, I got divorced, and quit school once again. Now, being 30, with bills, there is no way I can even cut back on my hours at work to make time for school, so I guess in a long-winded way, I'm saying to finish school first before anything! I really kick myself in the arse everyday when I go to work where I could be the pharmacist making the big bucks and gave it up for a stupid boy! I know this isn't your situation, but the concept is still the same!

[ramona]

WOW that is the hardest thing to answer. I would love to say in school, that is what we are supposed to say, and if I would have stayed in school I would be ______ now. But you are so young and what does your heart in the darkest deepest part tell you to do? maybe it will say stay in school that is locical makes good sence. But does the idea made you sick? Would staying in school be the worst thing to happen to you? Maybe not following a dream would be worst in the long run. I should have stayed in school, but I wouldn't be the same person as I am today. My peradiam would be different. All the wrong decisions I have made and the good smart one, too make me who I am. I live with few regrets. The choices I made years ago have shaped me to be me. Each of us are different, as you will see from each persons answer. It takes different things to make each of us happy. maybe happiness is just a state of mind. You will have to figure that out for yourself. Our Pastor said That if you want to know what God's will is for your life all we need to know is in the Bible and is we are willing to let him He will show us. I'm 48, my kids are grown, and I too wonder what am I going to be when I grow up! (LOL) I thinkit is more about the jouney and what we do on the path we have choosen. so in the longest way possible I am saying live with the least regrets.

[pkaugust]

Thank you ladies and you know - when I think about it, it does make sense to just get it all over with. I'd rather not deal with rising tuition or having to go back after a trip like that and I'm sure I could find part time work to get me through it relevant to my career by not binding. That was a great idea. This helped, if anyone else would like to comment please do - I appreciate all advice. Thank yall again.