Hey World,
So your’s truly has made a significant change in her life…. I have left my graduate program at Adler. Why? That seems to be the question asked by many… So, I will take a minute to jot my thoughts down here.
1. Money- There comes a time when a girl has to decide whether she wants to live comfortably with little debt or richly with loans up to her eyeballs. After spending hours upon hours of budgeting, planning a financial future, and doing the necessary calculations; I could not feel comfortable with the Quarter Million life commitment required to obtain my education at Adler. And please do not get me wrong, this commitment is doable for many, just not for me. I learned a great deal about myself with this key point… I would rather find another path to life, than take out even $150,000 of loans. It is just not feasible for the life I wish to live.
2. Small Town, Big Family- My move to Chicago has also made me realize how much family, friends, and Tanner mean to me. I always thought I could do the distance for a short amount of time, but the truth is, why would I want to? I miss riding my bike to the local coffee shop and seeing all of the familiar faces I love so much. I miss the dance classes and the growth of students. I miss the human connection and the ability to go home to spend time with the family. I miss waking up, cooking with, and seeing Tanner daily. I miss being there for my friends… and no a phone call does not cut it. I miss feeling the grass, the smell of FRESH air, and well world, this girl is a SMALL TOWN girl! So why would I go anywhere else for my education?
3. The Stats- I need stats I can feel confident in. I need communication between various departments, the community and the individual. I need to feel as though I can go “anywhere from here”. SD… that is for you. :) I learned a lot about what I want to gain from a school, the experiences I wish to obtain, and the things to ask when considering a program. However, please note the instructors I had the opportunity to meet at Adler were wonderful. They genuinely cared about my success as well as my departure. It just simply was not the best program for me as an individual.
So the next question that comes to mind when I have this conversation is, What is your plan now? So… Here is what I got…
IDK! Just kidding… anyone that knows me, I always have to have some sort of plan. :P For the time being, I intend to stay in Chicago until I feel I have gained what I wish to gain from this big city so many people have fallen in love with. When do I plan on leaving? I don’t know necessarily… May? or August? Somewhere in between? I will keep you posted… but for now, this is what I hope to gain:
1. Art Equals Mind- Through this process and move, I have been reassured of one thing; I need art. I am a creative being who believes the mind is expressed in the movement, in the paint, in the streams of words. Thus, I need to expose myself to the unlimited amount of art Chicago has to offer. I need to abuse my privilege of having dance in every neighborhood and paint brushes at my fingertips. Yes world, I plan to dance… no… create, more.
2. Volunteer- There are a couple of wonderful organizations I have found that I must dive into. One is Girls on The Run. I feel like empowerment and positive direction is crucial for young women, and this organization devotes itself to exactly that. So, yes, I would love to volunteer eventually.
3. Experience, Experience, Experience- I also hope to build my Curriculum Vitae over the next year in order to apply to other, more affordable, psychology programs. Thus, research and work experience is a MUST. So any legit opportunity that presents itself, I will take with open arms.
4. Get a Job- Yep, loans are due! Well and rent, and groceries, and well… you get the picture… Life costs money! So getting a job is a requirement. I am currently still working at Caribou, so that helps. And they are simply AMAZING! But I will need something to go along with this wonderful job. :)
But world, let me tell you…. I AM COMPLETELY OPEN! There are so many opportunities and experiences in life. I am excited to see what God brings into my life. Whether it is a studio, a coffee shop, a collaborative opportunity, art, traveling, a wellness center, or more education to reach my end goal of opening a Women’s Wellness Center; I am ready. I am really going to try to give my life to Him. (I must admit this is quite hard to do for a perfectionist). But if there is one thing I have learned through this whole process it is… I DO NOT know everything and thus I must be flexible with what God has in mind for me. So…. LOOK OUT because Brittany is coming home to her small town roots! :D