Seriously, it's your life. Don't let others pressure you to deny your dreams to chase theirs. Take classes in different areas. Explore your options and broaden your studies. Do whatever it takes to realize your full potential and what calls to you. Dillydally and have fun! There is no need to figure everything out in the first year or two. Grade school can be so constricting. Go figure out who you really are!

Here lately I've been wondering what my life would be like if I had pursued my interest in criminology versus early childhood education. Don't get me wrong, I am excited to work with kids as an educator.

I love seeing the passion in their eyes and the eagerness they have to learn new things at such a young age. However, what if I had taken upon my interest in crime? What experiences would I encounter? What opportunities would I have had?

As often as I want to change my major and begin fresh, I know better. I realize I am trying to put aside my fear of life after school by staying in school as long as I can. It's not healthy to do so.

I have the qualities to be an amazing teacher and I know God will help guide me as the times come running my way. It is true, the years fly by the older you become. AHHH!

I am still learning how to conquer my fear, one foot in front of the other. Every day will bring a new challenge. I know for a fact. So, I plan to face them head on and just tackle my fear without looking behind me. We must look forward, cause the past is the past and we do not need to relive it. We must live for the future for that is the way life will take us.

Don't be intimidated by the progression of others around you. Everyone learns at a different pace. Take your time. Try to at least take four classes, about twelve credit hours. You'll stay on track better. However, if you cannot, so what? You can take a class or two over the summer. You can take a crash course during may mester.

There are many options if you feel like you are dragging behind. Just remember everyone will always be at a different pace. These days, there aren't many who get in and out of college in four years with a degree. Just remember that it is okay! Don't feel ashamed; don't feel discouraged. As long as you keep pushing forward, that is truly what matters.

So, learn from my mistakes. Go to college undecided, unless you are 100% confident in your career choice, cause if you are that is pretty great. Join a range of clubs and see where you fit.

Take classes that seem interesting to you along with a few "required" by the school. Go out, explore your city. Explore your state, and more importantly the world around you! There are so many wonderful things to experience if you just take a step out of your comfort zone and go looking!