As I was walking around the different college booths, I saw my classmates and thought, what decisions will we be making for ourselves?
The decisions might include following our own path or doing what our parents would like us to do. Will some of us prioritize our dreams? Or will we focus on reality and think with a sharp mindset? These were questions that came up in my head on Sept. 18 when juniors and seniors were given the opportunity to go to the college fair.
I was thinking of following my dream of becoming a nail and lash tech by earning my license and getting straight to work. I like to practice on friends and family; I love taking the time on the acrylic bead, and I enjoy the smell of the monomer. When I apply the lashes, I have my soft R&B music on so my clients (friends and family) can sleep or just relax when I do their lashes. I like how my clients have different inspirations for me to recreate on their nails. I like connecting with them and being able to know how to do something they like, or make them feel pretty
Then I started to think about my adult responsabilities after high school. I have thought about going full-time tech after high school, but it would be scary if I didn’t have enough clients (money) to pay my rent or my insurance. I like to do nails and lashes, but if the bills are at my doorstep, I will have to leave that to the side and get a “real job”. I have worked at Sonic and at Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant, and it was really hard. I wouldn’t like to work the rest of my life depending on the kindness of tippers to pay my bills. I don’t want to know there were plenty of open doors of opportunity, but I didn’t take them.
We students should base our lives on something much more than just a get-by job. There are opportunities available for each and every one of us if we just dig a little deeper. We would all like to make six or more figures yearly, but we need to put the work in.
I think about going to college for the college experience, but I also don’t want to get homesick halfway through the semester. I would like to get an associates degree or a bachelors degree in business. I like working with numbers, and I like talking to people. I’m thankful there are opportunities I’m able to take and scholarships I can take advantages of. I’m still deciding what college to go to and which one offers more money. But hopefully I’ll be at a college next year, absorbing all of the knowledge and data they have to offer.
