Thinking about the future . . .

The other day I realized that class registration for Fall 2009 at UCSD is fast approaching. So I finally did what I have been avoiding since November . . . . I decided what I'm actually getting my degree in. Ok I knew that at least one major would be International Studies with a focus on Political Science and on Latin America. However, I was having a horribly difficult time deciding what was most important: graduating in June '10, having a relevant internship, a job I actually get paid for or double majoring. I would love to do all of them but that just isn't a viable option for me (I wish I would have taken more classes as a Freshman and Sophomore). Part of the reason that choosing between these things was so difficult was because I was so sure that I wanted to go to grad school as soon as possible after UCSD. Anyways, looking at what classes I wanted to take next quarter I finally made some decisions.

I am going to double major in Int'l Studies and in Spanish Language Studies (part of the Linguistics department). Hopefully, if I work hard enough and the right classes are offered at the right times, I'll be able to graduate in June of next year. If not I'll have to stick around for summer school or more likely Fall Quarter 2010 (tho I would still do the graduation ceremony in June). I know there aren't many relevant internship opportunities in SD so I'm not going to worry too much about getting that kind of experience right away. Especially since I don't really know exactly what I wanna do with my life.

I've also changed my thinking for post-UCSD. I have known for a long time that I love learning and that I want to continue my education in graduate school or maybe law school. But before I felt as if I had to do it immediately after my undergrad. That if I didn't do all this preparation during UCSD and go to grad school straight away I would never have the opportunity. Part of this is well founded with the ever increasing competition and costs. But then I realized that there are other things I might want to experience first. Why all this rush for grad school and, well, reality? I would love to take some time and travel more, maybe do a research program abroad, just live life more. Not that grad school, full-time employment or having a family isn't living life . . . but for me I think there is more I need to see and do and experience. Since deciding this I've felt an enormous amount of relief. I realize that I have all these options and opportunities ahead of me and that there are many routes that can take me to a desired destination.