Why I Took a Year Off!

Hello lovely readers, 

As you can see, I have a problem of commitment, especially to my writing. When I'm outside, I tend to think about the great and million ideas I want to write about. But, when I get home, I am completely worn out and hungry. After heading straight to the kitchen, I either go straight to bed or fall asleep in the couch while editing pictures. Have no fears, I am awake, yes at 3:51 am! and today, I will tell you what has been on my mind. I have been thinking a lot about going back to school, and how I spent my year off (semester off really), since it's graduation season. 

Here's my story:
I was determined to graduate from CCNY in four years and no more: the trend is usually 5 years, but I was tired of going to school. Classes started to get boring and the ritual wasn't invigorating anymore. Read, write, and revise. I was tired of that. So, when I had the opportunity to leave, I packed my bags pretty tightly and took off. Yet, I didn't go very far because I had to continue living in NYC and working at my school. There are very clear reasons why I took a year off. I am not here to explain myself to anyone. I definitely do not have any regrets about that decision but I wish I had spent more time actually being more adventerous.If you're considering taking a year off, continue reading:

Here are 4 major reasons why I took some time off after college:
1. I Needed To Know Where I Was Going
I was definitely not lost or confused about the direction I was headed. But I had difficulty deciding between continuing as a writer or a scholar. As an English major, my options were two and few. But my options also had very different directions. Scholarly work involves a lot more research, while creative work involves more writing and reading. I respect both but I felt more drawn towards creative writing. The real truth was that I was in a fellowship program that encouraged fellows to pursue Ph.D.'s after their undergraduate career but I was not ready. So I wanted to push it aside a little bit, which brings me to my next reason.

2. I Needed Time And Concentration To Apply to GRAD SCHOOL
Let me tell you something; if you are able to apply to graduate school, then you are very likely to endure the difficulties during your graduate education. Whew! I am so glad it is over. That GRE test alone drained me so much. Please make sure you're organized before starting this process. RESEARCH! the schools you want to attend. Get financial assistance because application fees may cost from about $50-$125 not to include mailing transcripts and all (some schools accept fee waivers). I applied to 12 schools in total, a mixture of MFA and Ph.D. programs. I definitely would not have been able to apply to these programs had I been enrolled in school.


3. JOB-MONEY
I kept hearing that graduate school is expensive but I didn't care or was I bothered because I believe in the power of God and SCHOLARSHIPS. So, in addition to applying to graduate school, I applied to 2 major scholarships, this is not to include about 5 more little scholarships I applied to (I got only 1, but I am still grateful). I think my job search process was so funny because it was so frustrating. Then I discovered INDEED!! That app gave me juice and a lot of depression. I would stay up all night refreshing the jobs. The funniest parts came when I had to revise a resume for about the 15 jobs I applied for. Then the interviews, then the Thank You notes, then the chaos at my current job, then the rejection emails. Wow. I'm telling
you this:DON'T GIVE UP!  I really felt like I was defeated, good resume and all. But, nay in all this, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us (Romans 8). Also, keep your part-time job, until you get a better paying one or a full time job.

4. FOR my King n City (There's a Christian Band called for King and Country)
 I am incredibly passionate about the things of God : I sing, dance, and plan events at my church and I felt like school had taken me away from most of that. So, I wanted to spend more time on using my passion to serve my maker. I honestly don't think that happened in the sense that I was busy doing I don't know what. But, I know I wasn't in Church as much as I had wanted to be. I did, however, start attending bible studies which transformed my perception of love. I took more time to also walk around the city after work. Initially, I couldn't wait to go home after work, but this time, I was patient, willing and excited to meet strangers(I met no stranger) and just looked at buildings.

ha! I cannot tell you how many times I criticized myself for making this decision. In high school, I was determined to go straight in Grad school after college. Had I not been afraid to really pursue my passion, that would have happened. I think the most difficult part of the whole process is explaining to loved ones that you have a plan but you don't have a concrete plan. I'm learning to allow myself to grow and I am so so so excited that I will begin to do what I love.