Why? Because I had been home schooled for my entire life, and I was terrified of anything unknown, which included going to school. However, my parents decided it was best for my sister to go so she could learn the higher level math and sciences, and I wasn't about to be left out. So little 12-year-old Melissa got some Christian-school uniforms and a lunchbox and a blue LL Bean book bag and went to school.
Although I was unfortunately very sick on my first day of school, I didn't die. After a few weeks, I found that school was actually kind of cool. I got to learn from different teachers, play floor hockey in gym class, play soccer on the school team, and eat lunch with a bunch of kids. Best of all, I found out that I wasn't stupid. Before I went to school, I was convinced I'd have to work myself to death just to avoid failing.
Then, six years later, I went to college, as most of you know. For the most part junior high and high school were fine (although senior year I was very ready for it to be over), it was nothing compared to college. College was like camp with some learning thrown in, and I LOVED it. I could stay up late, eat dessert before dinner, wear whatever I wanted (no uniforms!), and best of all, hang out constantly with the hundreds of fantastic people I'd just met.
Also, I liked learning. Yes, I am a school nerd. Lots of people were very ready to be done with all the tests and papers and homework and lectures. I wasn't. But time passed, as it always does. I always thought that my senior year of college, I'd miraculously figure out exactly what I should do with my life.
This was not the case.
What do I want to do? Well, I want to work in publishing, public relations, editing, writing, and teaching. All at once. Now. All of them. Is that possible? Maybe.
Let me say it again: I LOVE SCHOOL. So why not grad school? That was something I had barely considered before a year ago. I didn't know anything about grad school. Why go? How long does it take? How much does it cost? I had no idea.
But I like to research, so I did. What did I find out?
1. The economy stinks. Thus, grad school.
2. If I went to grad school, I could get a doctorate and become a professor. Thus, grad school.
3. In grad school I could still have a lot of things I like about college: meeting new people my age, multiple random jobs, summers, and LEARNING STUFF. Thus, grad school.
I won't bore you by describing the long hours I spent signing up to be on grad school emailing lists, talking to current grad students, and searching websites for assistantship opportunities.
Long story short, in the fall I'm going to the University of Kentucky to study communication. I wanted to do something related to my two majors—journalism and media communication—but not exactly the same. By God's grace, I also got an assistantship working in the writing and media lab so I can afford to go. I am SO BLESSED.
Scooter and I are so excited.
