Many of us have been there. We’ve selected our majors and been accepted, only to receive condescending looks and comments from friends, family, and strangers who think it’s their place to comment on our fields of study. “You’re going to school for that? Don’t you want a job in your field?”
It hurts, and it’s only the beginning. When I was accepted to York for professional writing, my parents were pleased, but as time went by, the pressure began for me to select a second major, a minor, or even prepare to attend law or grad school. They were convinced I would never get a job with my single BA. It didn’t help that some friends and important people would constantly ridicule me for my studies (and university), and told me I may as well transfer programs to something more “reasonable” like business or pre-law, or one of the many STEM programs. Falling into the black abyss of discouragement was easy, especially as I watched how my other friends were making connections, getting internships and early job offers in their fields.
I spent (and still do spend) many nights in my room, lying there wondering if I was really doing the right thing, if I should have ignored my passions and gone down a path that would be more “marketable,” as my parents put it.
Shortly after, a member from one of my favorite bands released a short song called “Nevermind” that really struck a cord with me. “Nevermind” feels more like a conversation between the artist and the listener. It’s a reminder that sometimes you have to say nevermind to those criticizing your dreams and passions, to those telling you the path you are on will lead nowhere. Yes, you will taste failure and defeat, but you need to get up and keep fighting and eventually you’ll make it.
I got up, did some digging around in areas I hadn’t searched before, and found some good starting areas to gain experience and better prepare me for working after graduation. I found opportunities, and fought through everything that was going on in my life at the time and started forcing my way through the jungle of fear and insecurity and shrugging off anyone who tried to pull me backwards.
I’m not going to pretend it’s easy, and I won’t say I’m out of the woods, so to speak. But things are getting better. I’m fighting for my future, for the life I hope I can attain someday. Instead of slowing down and allowing myself to remain on the ground. I’m standing back up, often with the help and support of other people, and running at full force. It’s okay to slow for a time, but don’t completely lose your momentum. Keep going, you can do it, even when you’re stumbling and your muscles are screaming at you to stop. Find you balance and run.
In the words of Min Yoongi:
“If it seems like you’re going to crash, step harder, kid.”