Okay, so I went into detail how I took the GRE, applied for the Michener Center twice, and got rejected both times. After all that, I decided I put it aside and do other things, like look for a job that actually pays a living wage and move out of my parents' house. And here we are, over two years after I wrote about the last time I applied. Have things changed? Yep!
For one, I read this book. I remember it being a big thing when it came out. I wanted to check it out since I was still thinking about grad school and if I needed it to be a writer. That book helped me realize that it wasn't worth it and perhaps I am fine winging it.
I thought about applying for grad school again. And yes, for the same damn MFA in Creative Writing. But then I remembered I had a copy of this book and decided to read that first. Doing so did squash that obsession.
And one last reminder, my new all-time favorite writer actually DROPPED out of grad school and continued to do her own thing. That's right, you heard me. She freaking left and soon proved she didn't need it. If I ever get the itch again, all I have to do is think "If Helen Oyeyemi* didn't need it, maybe I don't need it either".
But now something else came up. Another idea for grad school dreams: perhaps a degree in a different field, like a Master's in Library Science. It was amplified when I found out a while back that my friend was thinking of getting this degree and signed up for the upcoming semester for an online program. Keep in mind she has an eight-month-old kid and a full-time job. I don't know how she does it. I'm lucky I catch up with my daily writing quota and I'm single!
After a while of thinking about it, and even doing some research on programs, I came to a hard yet necessary decision: no, I do not need grad school. Do I even want it? Actually, not really on that either. I wanted to put my concentration on doing good at my job (which is going very well actually), saving up for a new car, finding a new apartment to move into next year, and above all: build my writing muscle and launch that career.
Grad school would prove to be a distraction. I can easily work at a job like a customer service call center and do all the writing on the side. I thank my current job for showing that it was possible. Since I'm not fretting over losing it (like the bank job) and am doing well at it, I can focus on my writing.
Nothing wrong with anyone wanting to go to grad school. In fact, I'm stoked for my friend and wish her nothing but the best in her journey. It was important for me to know when some things are a good fit and when some are not.
Many of my friends are having children. I never want to have kids, I rather have puppies and kittens.
Some of my friends are English teachers. I am fine working in customer service.
Some are going to grad school. I am very content with my Bachelor's and learning outside school.
And that, my friends, is what life is all about: finding your path and sticking to it.
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*If you haven't read her short story collection What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours, please remedy this and GET IT.
