The Easy Thing

The Easy Thing

All my life, my goals have been in line with my parents, my teachers, and most of the time my friends. Choosing a college was no exception. I chose Hanover College because the academics were some of the best in the Midwest so I know that I would be challenged. It was small and safe so my parents were in love with it, not to mention that it was only 2 hours away from them. When I got here I found some of the best friends that I have ever had, ones that just instantly got me from day one. This place is beautiful and I've made a home here.

So why in the world would I decide to leave?

My whole life has been a matter of doing what is right and best for me, doing what is generally the easiest thing. Going into college I had no idea what I wanted to major in but I knew that I wanted to work with people. That’s it. So all through my freshman year I deliberated what I wanted to do. In one of my classes we took an extensive career aptitude test and it matched me for speech pathology. I was wary but I decided to shadow a speech pathologist at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati. Even though it was a hectic day, I absolutely loved it. And when I shadowed one in the school setting, I fell even more in love with this career. Awesome! It’s a stable profession that is becoming more and more in demand and will allow me to work with kids like I want to, and all the while earning a pretty motivating salary.

The problem?
Hanover doesn’t offer this major.

So my whole freshman year and the first couple of weeks of my sophomore year were spent in deliberation of whether I should transfer and pursue my career or stay and try and make it work. I knew in my heart all along what the answer was but I was scared.

I still am.

So instead of doing the easy thing, I’m doing what is quite possibly the hardest move in my life. I am leaving my friends, my school, and my security behind to follow something I feel called to do. I’m going to the University of Cincinnati for Speech and Language Pathology. My faith is a huge part of my life and so many hours were spent in prayer over this. I was scared but all along I felt this gentle nudge pushing me to follow what can only be described as the uncertain road before me. My faith gives me some peace but right now I’m still in the stage where reality is a bit much.

At the end of the day I know I made the right decision. It’s just simply a matter of finding the courage to step out of the boat and onto the water. For once in my life I’m doing the hard thing. I’m shaking my whole life plan to the core just to follow my dreams. And honestly I couldn’t be prouder.

As my time at Hanover comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who has been a part of it. You all have truly taught me some many things in these short two years. To my best friends, thank you for supporting me no matter what direction I choose. I know that as a result of being here I have truly been changed for the better.

Thank you.