I’ve made a huge decision. I woke up one day and realised I was drifting along and I wasn’t happy. In fact I was pretty miserable. Being honest with myself I had known this for a while. However, you just trundle on putting that feeling down to a bad week don't you and the time ticks on by.
This is when I decided to jack my job in, go back to university and change my career. Not just a part-time course that lasts a year. No that would be too straightforward. My big dream is to be a Clinical Psychologist. It will probably take me about 7 years to become qualified. Not that long is it??
So I was finally brave enough to break the news to the parentals. (Is it just me who has to justify themselves to their parents at the grand old age of 31??? Please tell me I’m not on my own here) They faked full support and caught me off guard completely.... Somehow I suspect they aren't taking me seriously.
So things have moved on quickly since I made that decision. Scarily quickly. I’ve received my letter of acceptance from the University so I’m all set to go... Well sort of. Yes, there is the tiny matter of how I will finance this career change and I still haven’t told my current employers yet.... These things sort themselves out right???
This is the start of a very long process. (Not the best as I’m a rather impatient young woman!) I need to “convert” my original degree into psychology so I’m doing a full-time MSc Psychology course over the next year. Full-time I hear constitutes 2 days per week 9.30-4.30.... Really? That’s like one of my current working days.... This should be a doddle I’m sure!!!
Despite the “tiny concerns” I’m getting very excited about my plan. However, I’m soon brought back down to earth with a large bump when I pop in to see my mum. Admittedly, I didn’t think this one through very carefully, having stopped off on the way back from having my gel nails re-done, (short, round, red incase you're interested) my eyelash extensions topped up (natural looking not TOWE-like) and “another” dress option for my friend’s upcoming wedding in my hand. You won’t be hugely surprised when I tell you she started reeling off a list of all the things I’m not going to be able to afford now I’ve chosen to leave a well paid job and become a student again. Oh, what an uplifting conversation that was! Lots of eye rolling ensued....
Being serious now, I will let you into a little secret about how I’m going to afford this. No, unfortunately I haven’t won the lottery as one of my friends exclaimed. And no, I don’t have loads of money saved up. I’m scared to say this out loud as it seems very real..... I am getting a Career Development Loan of £10,000 to pay my course fees of £4,400 and to help towards my living expenses. Ouch. Then there’s the tiny issue of being a home owner with a mortgage, bills, food and the like to pay for by myself. More Pain. I’m scaring myself with this chat so I’ll stop there. (I will face up to this depressing thought by September but that’s months away yet!)
So the parentals don’t know about this little secret. I’m sure it’s safe with you. They’ve opted for the “ignorance is bliss” mindset despite being so flippin nosey the not knowing may wind them up more!
My mum keeps on asking why I can’t just become a teacher....I leave my mum with the thought that people in much tougher situations than me, take bigger risks than me and still succeed. “If you think you can or you think you can’t, either way you’re right.”
Anyway, enough of the serious chat. I’m off to my current employer’s Summer Ball (the ones who don’t know I’m leaving yet!) which is an all-expenses paid affair (oh the guilt) with everyone wearing lovely clothes, all glammed-up and drinking lots of wine and eating scrummy food. And guess what, the sunshine has FINALLY decided to make an appearance after pouring down with rain all week...... Surely that’s a sign of a good night to be had! And, you’ll be proud of this fact, I’m wearing the new dress I’ve purchased for my friend’s wedding next week.... I’m starting to think economically. Now there’s a first for everything J
