Hitting The Usual Wall but Pushing Right Through...

I guess I never realized it, but according to my parents, I normally burn out around this time of the year. One day after spring break, I don't think that any of that has changed, but I have. Before you stop reading because you think this is just some rant about school, I promise there's a point to it.

I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life. I love diseases, but I'm not sure if that means the doctor's life or a public health career is right for me. Now that I'll be a summer orientation leader (if you've been accepted, pay your deposit and come visit me!) in addition to Campus Day, I'm discovering I love being involved in University organizations, and I'm not sure if that's the kind of career I would enjoy most. And finally, I love South Quad Hall Council and Phi Sigma Pi and the programming opportunities that come with it, so maybe that means I want to find a job as a programming coordinator.

Ideally, there's a job programming events about disease awareness on UM campus. But as long as we're honest, that's probably a long shot.

The best part is, as burnt out as I feel, and unsure of where I'm going, this University is perfect for me. I'm meeting with my academic advisor tomorrow to talk about my classes, my future, and all the other extracurriculars and stresses in my life. Switching to this advisor that cares so much about me as a person and not as a name on the computer screen means alot, and that's something I didn't get as much of in high school.

I've found a job this summer as an Orientation Leader, but I have weeks available to shadow at the hospital, sit in on Public Health summer classes, and continue working with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This summer I get to figure out who I am and where I want to go with my life, and it's all been provided by this city and University. I'm not sitting around houses with my high school friends, but instead building upon the friendships I've found here, as many of my friends are staying for a spring term. Knowing that this summer I've found the best of all worlds (No Hannah Montana reference...but I came close) is one of the things that makes me smile even when the weather is this dreary.

I'm staying up late to work on papers for my history of disease class or anthropology instead of last year's AP Bio and Psychology. This year, though, I'm not working to get into the college of my dreams. I'm working to graduate from one of the best universities (and the third best public university) in the country.

Last year, if my friends were feeling it, I had no idea. This year, we're all sharing the brunt. We're realizing we didn't do the work over Spring Break that we probably should have, but we're all in this together (High school musical anyone? I couldn't resist). We're all staying in the basement of the Union until they kick us out, and we're all taking naps in the middle of the day. We know that this happens at every university, and that beyond our group of late night studiers, there are thousands more joining us across the country.

And this year, feeling burnt out doesn't feel so bad.