Giving College a Second Go

It’s been two months since I graduated from college, and I’m not only speaking for myself when I say that this is a very confusing time for people my age. How does one make the transition from being a student to becoming a productive asset to the real world? Are fresh college graduates like myself wracking our brains thinking about our next move? I think so. For many, what happens next in their lives poses a big question.

Some of my contemporaries have already landed themselves jobs, and I envy them sometimes, if only because they are on their way to financial independence. I mean, who wouldn’t mind making some cash and surviving on their own? This is normal since we cannot separate ourselves from money in a world where it is a necessity. I’ve seriously entertained the thought of breaking away from the system. I have a close friend who chose to live the simple life of a nomad in Palawan. I wanted to do that, but that was in the past. I’ve grown up and have come to realize that money has its uses in this world. Although the lure of financial security is strong, I wouldn’t want it to be the be – all and end — all of my existence. Even at my age I know for sure that there is more to life than that.

There are have been a lot of times when adults have told me their own stories of surviving in this world. Some of them tell me that that if they had the chance they would have made different career choices. They say that in the process of making a living they lost track of what would have really made them happy. Most of them have said that after having worked at attaining financial stability for so many years, they realized that they would rather have done something else, something that they at least would have enjoyed. There are the lucky ones who end up doing what they love, of course, but I’ve only met a few who sincerely and tirelessly love their work.

To be honest, I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to find a job that was related to my communications course either. My practicum revealed to me some aspects of a career in communications that are a little too hard for me to swallow. In a field where "public relations" and selling yourself to people is the norm, it’s easy to lose track of what is real. One of the saddest things is having to question whether or not someone is genuinely friendly, or just doing his job. It’s just something you get used to I guess, but I don’t necessarily agree with all the politics.

However, there are an infinite number of choices I have concerning what I can do after college. I’m pretty much free to follow whatever direction I choose, but it’s making the right decision that is the hard part.

I got a great piece of advice from my older sister Joy. She told me that it wouldn’t be wise to throw myself into something before finding out what it is I really want to do. I might lose myself while pursuing the money trail. I have taken this to heart, because honestly, that is where the problem lies. Finding what I truly want is hard. But then again, maybe it isn’t a problem. Perhaps I am among the lucky ones, if only for the fact that I don’t have to rush into something alien and end up regretting the decision I make later on.

So for now I’ve decided to go back to school and take a course in fine arts. I think this would be the better alternative for me now, and why not? I’ve grown up in a house that is a veritable gallery. Besides, it’s something that I would have wanted to do four years ago. And besides it wouldn’t hurt to give college a second go. It might seem like a strange decision, but looking back, I can’t help but feel that I might have taken college a bit for granted, and I crave to do more serious learning.

Is my choice a symptom of not wanting to make the transition? Am I just delaying the inevitable for another three years? Some might think so, but my reply to them is this: "What’s the hurry?" I have a whole lifetime ahead of me.