Life After Oak Hill

It wasn’t until the summer of my Senior year, when I really started looking into colleges. I had know idea where I wanted to go, or what it is I wanted to major in. Knowing that time was running out, I couldn’t have been more panicked not knowing where my life would be after high school.

I had the list written down of all the possible schools, Orono, SNHU, St. Joe’s, none of them seemed to click, I didn’t get that feeling of “This is where I belong”. In the back of my mind I knew I wanted to major in Psychology, I was unsure of where to find the right program. Orono is nice and all, but I found it to be too big and honestly, I don’t wanna see a new face everyday. I wanted familiarity. SNHU, was my first choice. The campus is small, but not too small and the familiarity I wanted was there. St. Joe’s is gorgeous, but I didn’t think their Psychology program was the right fit for me. It was a constant battle of decision making and time for me was running out

.One day my friend called me and asked, “Do you wanna go to Fort Kent?”, and I’m thinking why in the world do you want to go way up there, her response was “Well, I have a tour for their college”. I told her I would go, it sounded like fun even though it is five and a half hours away to the middle of nowhere. We left after the crack of dawn and embarked on what seemed like the endless trip through the woods. When we arrived, we just about drove right through the town and missed it. At this point I could not understand why she was so interested in this school. We were early for the tour so we drove thirty seconds to the next town and ate at McDonalds. The town was hectic that day because of the great fish derby and pyole festival. After waiting an hour, we went another thirty seconds down the road, to tour The University of Maine at Fort Kent. The tour took all of about an hour, and I fell absolutely in love. I had the “This is where I belong” moment and I knew this is where I wanted to go. To this day Heather won’t let me down for thinking she was crazy for wanting to go all the way up there.

Once I knew where I wanted to go I felt so relieved. With the beginning of Senior year came college applications, essays, scholarships and graduation. Once my applications were completed and sent came the anxious waiting period. The first college I heard from was SNHU, I was excited and thrilled that I was accepted, but my heart was still set on Fort Kent. About two weeks later I received this huge package in the mail from Fort Kent, I opened the letter, and lost it from there. Accepted. Just that one word, is the greatest feeling ever. I was in such disbelief that I made it. Life after high school was looking good now.

The biggest question I get asked is “Why”? Why way up there, why Fort Kent, why Psychology. I say, because I love it. What people can say about our dreams, can be bothersome and discouraging. I encourage you all to block them out. Go after your dreams no matter what, one of the biggest regrets one could have is knowing they didn’t take the risk, the opportunity to live their dream. I advise you to be patient and driven. Find what you want to go after and do it. It will take time, but it can happen. When it comes to finding what best fits you, keep your eyes open, explore all open opportunities. It will come.