When I first started college, I was right out of high school and didn't even know what direction to go in. I also still had the mindset of a kid. One thing that didn't help, though I don't blame anyone, is that I would always hear "you're young! You have time!". That's a nice sentiment, but at least for someone like me it means 'you can push that problem to a later date!'. I did exactly that and lost momentum in school. I chose to procrastinate with life decisions. That stressed me out, so I chose not to do school work or go to classes. At least one semester of classes was basically a waste.
I was able to kick my butt back into gear for the next semester with the help of a bunch of people. I was given advice to just go with a major based on the classes I did well in high school. In the long run, I obtained my Associate's Degree in Business Management.
When I graduated, I never applied my degree to any new position. I worked in the same, low-paying job. I knew I wanted to keep going. I wasn't satisfied.
I don't know what it is about the people I knew in high school, but quite a few of them weren't afraid to chase their dreams. So, I have a few examples in my life of people who are happy doing something they love.
I had a teacher some time in middle school who said the first career she went for made her cry every morning before work. I told myself then that I never wanted to put myself in that kind of a situation.
I have one friend in particular who got a job fairly recently at a place she loves. She's worked very hard to get to where she is and to continue to stay in the field she loves. She really showed me that work might not stop being work, but you feel your effort pay off when you love what you do.
Finally, I decided that since I am going back to school, I'm going to go fearlessly towards the things I love, regardless of what my grades in previous classes were or how I might not be the best at what I choose to do in the future.
You can't let your past define you, but should instead let it be part of the building blocks that make who and what you will become.
And if you're not convinced because my setback is too minor, I challenge you to find a quote about a person's own success that didn't somehow involve persistently getting back up.
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