Why It's Never Too Late To Try Something New
By: Monica
If you are like me and starting my post-secondary journey later in life, then you will understand that it can be challenging. Being constantly bombarded with the idea that your time is limited or society telling you that you need to find a full-time job by the time you’re 25 is exhausting. Especially with the feeling that you are wasting your time by focusing on yourself or what you truly want to do in life! Here is my story of entering college in my mid-20s and advice to other mature students or current students who are uncertain about what to do after high school.
Right after graduating high school, I did in fact try to go to college and entered the Art Fundamentals program right here at Sheridan. However, I wasn’t committed and I eventually dropped out, which caused me to spend the next five years “wasting my time.”
A Journey of Self-Discovery During my Gap Year(s)
“When I finally decided to commit to being an artist, something that I wanted since leaving high school, I was more ready than I had ever been before.”
After high school, I worked in retail for a couple of years, this allowed me to learn how to help customers and organize stock. I also worked with a small business seasonally, where I worked as an assistant manager, where I learned how to manage people and make a schedule. Working in a factory for a couple of horrible months, made me realize that some jobs out there are a little inhuman but still exist to this day (We can dive into that topic another day).
I also worked as a residential cleaner and learned that most jobs rely heavily on you doing more than what you’re paid. So, I started my own residential cleaning business and learned how to manage my own clients and how to do taxes as a small business. I even got my Class B license and drove children around in a big yellow bus for a couple years!
Once I was accepted into Sheridan College’s Illustration program and passed the portfolio requirement on my first try, I realized it wasn’t because I was a great artist - it was the result of all the odd jobs I had drawn for. The only difference between starting college the first time and now was my decision to become and learn how to be an illustrator.
While I look noticeably young, and most people in my program assume I am the same age as them, I often get gasps and surprised looks when people find out I’m 25. To be fair, I react the same way when I find out someone in my class is 18! Most of my peers are almost a decade younger than me, and you really start noticing an age difference when you hear their views and perspective they have during conversation. They all seem worried about small things, struggling with time and figuring out who they are as people. Luckily for me, my brain is done growing, and I don’t have to think about any of that stuff as much.
“If you are in the same boat as me, choose something different from what’s expected. Whether that’s because you’ve decided to change careers or because you just want to go to college.”
Mind you, I still get stressed and anxious, but I am more capable of handling things because of the growth I’ve already gone through. All I can say to my younger peers is that it gets better, and they are doing so amazing! So many of them experience imposter syndrome and are so unsure of their life choices, here is my message to them and anyone else experiencing this: You are where you belong!
You are not wasting your time, you’re here right now to learn and become a different person, and that is worth every second. So, if you came to Sheridan later in life, you made the right choice. And if you decided to come to Sheridan right out of high school, you also made the right choice.
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