MOC8_Jan17_NewBeginnings
rlucasmn, Jan 19, 2020
- Description:
- Scrapping with Liz - Artsy Journal Template 60
Create Crate Monthly - Cozy & Crisp: papers, elements
Mommyish - Happy Harvest: papers, elements
Sahlin Studio - Celebrate: glasses
Journaling: (533 words)
During her senior year of high school, Kaelan worked hard to explore and apply to colleges. She turned in eight applications and did visits to at least six of the eight schools. As the acceptances rolled in, we knew she was going to have the luxury of choice and that her decision could be difficult. Her choices ranged from as far as Colorado State in Fort Collins and as close as Hamline University in St. Paul.
During her visit to Winona State, she learned that the psychology program offered her some unique opportunities in her desired course of study (psychology and neuroscience). She envisions her career path as working to develop drugs to treat psychological disorders. While visiting the school, she was able to talk directly to one of the department professors, who currently holds three patents for drugs developed through his research. Because Winona is a smaller school, she would likely be able to conduct research as an undergrad, working with this professor. This was the main factor that led to her choosing Winona as her college—or at least we thought so.
Her first semester started strong. She seemed to be happy, enjoying school, making friends, working, and doing well in her classes. We went to visit her during the college’s family weekend; she showed us the town and was happy to have us there. However, more weekends than not, she would come home. We figured that it was due to her boyfriend, who was still here in town.
Then, about 2/3 of the way through the semester, she came home for the weekend and wanted to talk. She was very upset and had a difficult time telling us that she was very unhappy and lonely, had been seeing a school counselor, and really wanted to transfer to the University of Minnesota. In telling us her story, she let us know that in her mind, the major reason she decided on Winona was that she was able to get set up with a roommate that she knew ahead of time, rather than for the strength of the program or area of study. We were somewhat shocked to hear this and worried that she was making a choice dictated by hormones, rather than reason. After discussion, and allowing her to continue pursuing what it would take to transfer, we let her know that it was her choice, and we just wanted her to be happy.
She pursued the path of transfer and on Tuesday, January 21, she officially begins her second semester of freshman year as a Golden Gopher. She’s very excited by the breadth of the psychology and neuroscience catalog at the U of M and already has dug in, gotten organized and has even completed a few of her on-line assignments. She will be living at home this term and we are hoping that she will be settled and happy in her choice.
As our next daughters approach the decision of what to do after high school, I hope that, as hindsight is 2020, we will remember to coach and to counsel them appropriately as they explore their options and not feel added stress once they begin their post-high school lives.
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- Category:
- Month of Challenges 8
- Uploaded By:
- rlucasmn
- Date:
- Jan 19, 2020
- View Count:
- 283
- Comment Count:
- 2
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