Saturday, September 17, 2011

Forget regret.....Or life is yours to miss

Day 17: Regrets

Regret isn't a word I use very often.  In fact I think it's kind of a dirty word.  I believe everything happens for a reason.  So don't dwell on what you wish would have happened, be happy for what did.  That said, there is one thing I think about from time to time.  Some days, I wish I would have studied abroad during college.  A few of my friends did and the experiences they had were amazing!

At the time, it didn't even cross my mind.  My parents had graciously granted me the "David Family Scholarship" that came with a four year expiration date.  I was dead set on finishing college in four years to avoid student loans.  Which meant my Freshman year was spent taking all the required classes to apply to the Dental Hygiene program and once accepted in the Spring, the next 3 years were a very regimented schedule.  Taking off just ONE quarter would have delayed my graduation by an entire year.  Something that back then I wasn't willing to sacrifice. 

I wish I could go back and tell 18 year old me that I had my whole life to live in the grown up world so stop trying to get there so fast!  That one year in the scheme of things was a mere drop in the bucket.  That you have amazing parents who would probably be willing to renegotiate the terms of your "scholarship."  Enjoy those carefree college days.  Live more in the now and worry less about the future.  Don't be so afraid, just get out there and do it!  No regrets. 

Then I think about how different my life could have been.  And I remember that I don't do regrets.  But it would have been pretty awesome!  I'm hoping 18 year old me would have picked London, cause 30 year old me would have in a heart beat!

3 comments:

Nikki said...

You can come and summer with us in London when we go in a few years. It will be way fun when we have money to enjoy it.

Katie @ Miss Klohn's Classroom said...

I can so relate to that! My parents paid for my undergrad school and I really believed that is was essential for me to finish in 4 years since they were paying. I too look back and wish I could have relaxed just a little and not taken 18+ hours every semester. Oh well, but that I may not be teaching in Fredericksburg right now either. Sometimes is just how it is supposed to be!

Hilary said...

I completely agree! My situation was that instead of paying my rent on an apartment for my last 2 years, my parents bought a townhouse for me (plus a paying roommate), which ended up being cheaper for them in the long run. At the time, though, all I saw was that my parents had PAID for this townhouse for me, so there was absolutely NO WAY I could think of going abroad for an entire semester. Now I wish I would've gone to Australia!!