Wordsmith prompt #7: If you could go back, what would you like to change about your education?
I do not regret my life. Every decision I have ever made has led me here: a place I am glad to be. However, I would be lying if I said I never imagine going back and redoing high school or college with the mind I have now (the confidence, the wisdom, the sense of direction).
Anyone who knows me is aware of my criticism of college being the norm after high school. I believe that as long as someone is financially literate, has clearly-defined values, attainable goals, and passionate drive to become better and create something, that person can be successful without a college degree.
Without redundantly bashing the idea of college, I must say that I was a terrible student in general. I lacked the grit and discipline required to get work done if I found it uninteresting or useless. This was a huge problem, because I had no idea what I found interesting or useful.
My key concerns during my academic career were: Do people like me? Do people think I am funny? When can I smoke weed and play Call of Duty?
These ideals did little to boost my resume. To answer the prompt’s question, I wish I had a more vivid sense of what it was I wanted out of my life. At the same time, who the hell knows that at age 14?
If I could make changes I would:
• Dive into the study of theatre, acting, and storytelling as young as possible
• Force myself to take financial literacy classes
• Take piano lessons
…But, at the end of the day, making alterations such as these would result in different friends, different experiences, and a different story; and I am quite pleased with my story so far. Plus, the only reason I have the wisdom I have now is because I lived my life the way I did and made the mistakes I made. I doubt anyone would be able to go back in time and simply create the perfect life for themselves.
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