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This isn't fanfic related so feel free to delete if it's not appropriate buuut, I've found myself in need of some advice.
I've just finished my first year at Uni, studying Geology and don't get me wrong, I like it, but it's really not what I want to do.
Ever since I was little I've wanted to be a midwife but practially my whole family managed to convince me that I wouldn't be earning a decent wage and pushed me to do a more academic subject, which I did and now I can't help but regret it.
The thing is, I can switch to a midwifery dgree in time for September if I hurry up and do it soon but the problem is that I'm already 20 (old to be starting a degree according to my parents) and it'll be another three years until I qualify.
I'm seriously thinking about switching, but I can just see my parents going absolutely mental >_< and my RL friends aren't being much help at the moment, they're all either going into their 3rd year or have full time jobs already and they just see this as me being indecisive again. Grrr
Help?

I don't really know how things work where you live, but maybe this'll help...

If you want to switch, you could switch to a nursing major. You could still work in a maternity ward (even if you're not the one actually delivering babies), and then possibly take up midwifery at a later date. Or, you could become a nurse practitioner in family health, which could help you with that as well.

And this is the forum where it doesn't have to be fanfic-related, so you're good.

I can totally understand how you must be pulled both ways by this indecision, but I offer the following.

I think you have to follow your heart (cheesy, but true!). You seem quite sure deep down of what you really want to do - to be a midwife. You're already regretting doing the Geology course, and feeling like you've wasted a year, and to go on like that, doing something when your heart's not in it, will just make you more and more unhappy, I think. Maybe you need to be honest with yourself, and true to yourself.

Not only that, perhaps you need to be honest with your parents. I don't know them, obviously, and I hope I'm not insulting them by saying that they cannot live out their own... life? desires? expectations? through you. If they go mental, then THEY will have to deal with that. I would hope that they would appreciate your honesty and ambition, and the fact that you can "stand up" to them.

I don't think 20 is too old to start a degree, and 3 years will feel like NOTHING and EVERYTHING if you're doing something you love, something YOU'VE chosen to do (maybe even feel a calling to do?).

Also, I honestly believe that nothing we ever do or go through is wasted. The experience of the last year, and what you're going through now, all counts for something - it's for you to decide / discover what, which may take time, but I believe "all will be revealed" in due course!

You say your friends just think you're being indecisive, and it sounds like they're not really taking it seriously, and maybe they're making you feel like you're making a fuss about something quite trivial. Well, OK, in a sense, this isn't anything earth-shattering - it won't mean life or death for anyone involved, it won't solve world poverty or bring about world peace, but that doesn't mean it's not important TO YOU. This is your life, your career, your future, your ambition, your calling, your... whatever else you want to add to the list, and that's not trivial.

It's not for me or anyone to "tell" you what you should do, so I think what I'm saying is, take time to ask yourself (and really think before you answer!):
1 WHO am I doing things for right now, me or others? And is that what I really want?
2 What is MOST important to me - satisfying others' expectations and keeping other people happy, or taking a chance and going for what I want.
3 WHAT would really be worth my time and effort - what I'm doing now, or something else?
4 Will it hurt more / will I regret it more to try and possibly have things go wrong, or not try and always be wondering "what if..."?
5 So what do I REALLY want to do?

OK, I've blathered on for long enough. Maybe this helps, maybe not, but there it is. Let me just say: My mom wanted me to follow her into the nursing profession, and I refused. My dad hoped I would learn to play the piano as well as he does, and I gave up lessons. Now I know they're both proud of me because I'm damn good at my job as a college administrator, and I play Mozart on the clarinet with my dad accompanying me!

Just... be yourself, and be the best "yourself" you can be - whether that's a geologist or a midwife or whatever!

Jude

Thank you for replying guys

Race, the thing is, I can't just switch, I have to start over again

But, I think I will be following my heart, cheesy as it sounds. I've already submitted my application form but when ti comes down to it, I can still keep my place on my Geology course if I get cold feet for changing.

Still need to tell the parents though

marymagdalen wrote: I hope I'm not insulting them by saying that they cannot live out their own... life? desires? expectations? through you.

<- this is somewhat true, neither my dad or my mum really got as far in life as they wanted before they had kids, I suppose they only want what they think is best for me?

I also have to get accepted first, but I'm hoping that won't be a problem *fingers crossed*

Good luck with it all, Sarai! I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I don't know all that much about how universities function (never having been to one, and all), so I'd proabably just have confused you.

But I think that it's great that you can keep your place in your geology course as well. Just as a... safe-guard? Wrong word, but it'll be helpful just to have that there as a sort of safety net, even if it's just to ease your parents' minds a little.

I don't think that there's much point in finishing a degree that will lead you into a career you know you don't want, though. And 20 is definitely not too old to start a degree. THink of people who go traveling after high school, or who just aren't sure what they want to do. Hell, my brother's nearly 20, and he hasn't a clue what he wants to do with his life.

But really, Sarai, good luck with whatever you decide to do! You know what you want to do much better than we, or your parents, do, so (again with the cheesiness) don't be afraid to just go for it.

Giorgia wrote:Hell, my brother's nearly 20, and he hasn't a clue what he wants to do with his life.

Hell, I'm turned 40 and I STILL don't know what I really want to do. Still thinking of becoming a lorry driver... or a professional bungee jumper... or...

Oh, totally go with the bungee jumping. *Grins*

Bungee jumping definitely.
and also I have some work experience at my local maternity unit
Looking forward to it, but I'm also a little scared too :S

Good luck with the work experience! I'm sure you'll do great!