"I'm perfectly content not being in a relationship right now to focus my time on my personal success. Right now, I'm dedicating my time and energy into improving myself, not only as a student, but as an individual. I refuse to feel guilty or ashamed of putting myself first. "

As a junior undergraduate student who is about to start the process to apply for graduate schools, let me tell you, I AM BUSY! Most college students that hear that I have a 15 credit hour schedule say, "What a breeze." I, on the other hand, have never been so physically and mentally consumed in work. I have to research, perform, analyze, and present a full research project in only nine weeks for one of my classes. Research, experimentation, and analysis is done outside of class. On top of conducting research for this class, I also have taken my second semester of independent research. Last semester, I spent some of my free time researching a DNA based virus. This semester I will be performing analysis on blood samples of organisms, that could be affected by the virus, taken from a local wildlife conservation center (in my free time). I also have my other classes, an internship, GRE preparations, and work to organize around my 45 minute commute both ways to campus. Needless to say, I'm one busy person!

As an attractive 20 year old woman, I'm always hit with the ole line, "So are you talking to anyone special?" Oh, boy. You really think I have time to have a significant other? I barely have time to take a shower or eat dinner. I understand that this is the time of year that everyone seems to be finding relationships or making plans (getting engaged, planning weddings) with their significant others.

Why is it that no one in my family ever asks about my research? No one ever asks me about my position in my honors societies. No one ever asks about my school work or professional career. It's always focused on the fact that I'm not dating anyone. It may have taken some time to get here, but I'm perfectly content not being in a relationship right now to focus my time on my personal success. I've had the dream of being a veterinarian for 15 years. I've worked my butt off to achieve what I have, and am continuing to make strides to affirm my place in a graduate school veterinary program. I don't see my family members asking any of my male cousins if they have found anyone yet. They get asked about school and work.

Here's the thing, I'm fine being single right now. I really am not looking for a relationship, at least not a serious one. Yes, I would love someone to cuddle and watch movies with after I leave the lab on a Friday night. Yes, I would love someone to go out and have fun with. I'm not looking for anything serious. Right now, I'm dedicating my time and energy into improving myself, not only as a student, but as an individual. I refuse to feel guilty or ashamed of putting myself first.