The Real World

College students often say "When I get to the real world..." referring to life after college. This week I came to the realization that life after college is no more real than the life I'm living right now. I have to work hard, stay in touch with friends, face harsh realities, and get through each day just like I will have to do beyond college.

I had a meeting with my academic adviser this week and it actually seemed like a real advising appointment. Usually at these appointments I'm just told what classes I have to take, and they can never answer the questions I have. They usually last five minutes and then I have to go on a hunt to find people to actually answer the questions I have and figure everything out. I was assigned a new adviser and he actually asked me about my life after college. He sincerely wanted to help me figure out where I'm going, what I want to do, etc. He told me I have options of classes to take in my extra time (since I'll be an extra semester than originally planned, I have lots more time). I learned I don't just have to take nursing electives like I thought. I could take other classes that may interest me more, like Health Care Ethics, or philosophy, or theology, or anything I want! I always just assumed I would have to take nursing elective classes and that's that. I learned I actually have to start thinking about what I want to do after college. Where do I want to live? What state do I want to take the NCLEX in? What are my priorities for a job? What kind of jobs do I want to apply for?  He also told me that he has never met a nursing student that loved all their classes. They love the job, not the classes to get there. I've heard that from other people, and it makes me feel so much better about disliking school so much. After this meeting I realized that I'm already in the real world. It doesn't happen with graduation. While I have to start thinking about my future after college, I also have to think about what I'm doing with my life at this point in time. College isn't just some fake world with frolicking and free time, it's very much a reality.

I may not enjoy my classes, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy being a nurse. To be a nurse though I have to get through these classes. Sometimes I think my college experience will be more difficult than work after college. I hate to study and I'm not good at it, but I love to work and I would work 80 hours a week if it were allowed! I've had to work very hard just to pass my classes, and sometimes that's not even enough. I've had to fight very hard just to be where I am right now. Being a student is the vocation I have at this time in my life. It takes just as much effort, maybe even a little more, than what I will have to do after college. The work I'm putting in now is no less real than the work I'll have to put in after college. The "real world" after college doesn't scare me nearly as much as the "real world" of college I'm trying to get through right now. Homework and studying is not nearly as enjoyable for me as taking care of patients will be.