The newspaper job is not working out due to many factors - mainly due to poor planning on my part. I've resigned as of yesterday, and I'm returning to school this winter. I have the full support of my parents with regards to this decision.
I think I was so desperate to get out of Wal~Mart that I didn't look before I leapt. I admittingly didn't plan things very well. Factors of poor planning included the costly Greyhound commute back and forth every day, the resulting 12-hour days, the walking and freezing in extreme sub-zero temperatures. I overall didn't feel very secure. The fact that I wasn't even working in the position I thought I was hired for - the editor - and the job had no benefits as an incentive is also a factor. Being a reporter is not what I'm truly meant to be. A writer, yes. I love to write, but not in a news format. It took working at two newspapers to confirm this.
My ship will be changing course, but it will be a gentle wide turn.
Over the past couple of days, I've been mulling over my future. Since I graduated college in 2004, the desire to return to school has always been in the back of my mind. The stories I covered at the local college left an impression on me. It looks like a great place to springboard a new career from. I'm looking at something in environmental sciences, which can lead to a degree (two year college program, then a direct entry into the degree program). This winter, I hope to upgrade my high school mathematics, physics and chemistry marks in preparation - mainly because there is a math course in the program, but I would like to sharpen my other number/science skills as well. I think being 25, I have the discipline now to focus on my weaker academic skills. There's a program at the Lloydminster campus that would allow me to do so. As a matter of fact, I have the application form next to me, ready to be filled out. I visited the College this morning for a closer look around.
Income shouldn't be a problem for the winter - I can return to Wal~Mart to work part-time, or even the restaurant I used to work at as a dishwasher. I'm in good standing at both. Jobs are still a dime a dozen in Lloydminster. Labour jobs are good because they prevent me from becoming lazy.
Hopefully this doesn't seem too abrupt to you - not to me, as it's been running through my head for a couple of weeks. I'm excited about taking the wheel and steering my life in a new direction.
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