I think I figured it all out!

[laciemn1]

Okay, so I have been stressing lately because of the pressure to go to college. All my friends and family tell me I should and I was a little put off by it at first, but I figure I have nothing else to do right now. Also, my friend told me to make it out like one big test for myself and it made it somehow more appealing.

So I've been thinking about what I would actually love enough to do it on a daily basis for hours at a time. Therapy. I've always cherished bonding with people and helping them figure out their problems...I really think I have what it takes.

When I think about my other interests and making those into careers, I never feel sure that's what I want, but when I think about helping couples, families, kids, or just people with mental problems through therapy, I feel like I could really help people and appreciate my job.

Anyway, they don't offer a psychology degree at the local community college so I'm a little stumped. I'm dead broke, so I can't exactly just move away to a big college or anything. I haven't even taken SATs because they aren't required for community college.
Does anyone here have any advice they think might help?

[allina]

You don't have to do anything special to get what you want because you already decided for yourself that you want to be a thereapist. Just be 100% sure that this is what you want and the rest will follow. Somehow everything will come along to realize your dream.

[Alison Jenkins]

It is so important to follow your dream. Years ago when I was training to be a student nurse I can remember going into the career office and asking them how I could move into the area of counselling. I was told there were no paid jobs and since I was supporting myself I was not able to do this. What happened was I moved into jobs where I could help people and then trained to be a counsellor and then an online counsellor. Today I have my own online counselling business and it stemmed from a dream I had at 18.

Investigate all the different options and then look at ways to get funding. Each area / country is different. I've learnt in life that the best decisions in life are often the ones with the most risk to them.

I can say 23 years on I still love helping people and I am still passionate about learning. So many people I know are bored by their jobs and have no job satisfaction, whereas I have been so lucky to have loved every job I have ever done. I followed my dreams and not the money.

Alison

[WarrenDavies]

Hey,

Glad you found what you want to do. Are there any distance learning courses you could enrol on? You could also look for courses that use intensive study days, where you come in only once or twice a month for a full day, and do the rest from home. If there is one nearby it might be worth commuting.

I don't know how your system work in the US, can you apply for student loans or grants? Because this could help you move city, if you need to do that.

You also might need some kind of access or foundation course before you start your degree. That might be something to look into too, as psychology is a pretty heavy course and it would be useful to get a year's practice in, and learn study skills in that time too. One with a statistics module would be useful too (psychology is pretty stat-heavy). You could also use that time to save up some cash for the degree.

Anyway, just a few ideas!

[evelynlim]

It's important to follow your dreams and desires. Creatively visualize the outcome that you are seeking. Things will fall into place.

I wasted more than 10 years of my life in a job that I did not particularly enjoy. The experiences were useful but it would have been better if I was passionate about what I was doing.

All the best,
Evelyn

[astra]

Please don't go to college and do something just because you've got nothing else to do! I did, and it was a big mistake! It's unbelievably hard to study something you're not really interested in. If you really want to do Psychology, it sounds like there's a couple of obstacles for you so I'd recommend finding a career counsellor (most colleges/unis/schools should have one) or failing that speak to someone in the psychology field. They can help you discover all your options and develop a plan with you to acheive that goal.

Hope this helps, good luck!

[Joely]

Working out what you really want is the hard part, so well done! There are all kinds of possibilities to train in different therapies, so I would basically be open to anything coming along that really inspires you. College is one option, but keep your ears and eyes tuned, maybe talk to a few therapists in your area about how they got where they are now.

One of my friends is changing careers to become a hypnotherapist, and part of the course is distance learning. You might be able to do something like that. Surf around and see what comes up - but be open to all kinds of different solutions presenting themselves.

[Amandaaa]

Well... you could start out by taking general education classes, and then transfer to a bigger school with a Psychology major next year... ? Almost every state university will have financial aid options for you for next year, so you don't have to worry about money.

(and I'm sure that your community college offers an Introductory Psychology course... have you looked into that?)

If they don't offer a psychology class, then you could just do some studying on your own...? Look online, buy a couple textbooks, and then take the CLEP exam so you can jump right into your major when you transfer. (and it could also save you some money on tuition).


I don't know... just a thought.

[Amandaaa]

(I can give you my old textbooks if you want them! )