I finally graduated. During my time at Utah State, I think I considered almost every major available to me. I tried Mechanical Engineering for a semester, I considered Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Biology and Bio Chemistry pretty seriously, I was a Mathematics Education major for over three years, and I finally settled on Liberal Arts with minors in Mathematics, Latin Language, and Ancient Greek Language.
6 Years.
14 Semesters.
69 Courses.
191 Credit Hours.
Wow. I was here for a long time.
There were times during my education that I regretted my length of study at Utah State, my indecisiveness. For example, when all of my friends who were my age were graduating in 2010, it was hard to not feel jealous. And it was even harder the next year to see those younger than me receiving their bachelor's degree before me. However, I found that if I constantly compared myself to those who took a shorter amount of time, I could easily despair. Instead, I chose to hope that I was on the right path.
So what's next?
Honestly, I'm not sure.
I have been accepted to two schools so far:
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
At The Seattle School, I was accepted to the Master's of Christian Psychology Program, and at Gordon-Conwell, I was accepted to the Biblical Languages Program. I'm waiting to hear back from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Over the past year, I have felt torn between two worlds: the world of academia and the world of Christian Psychology. I have decided right now to pursue the languages while I have the time and the energy. I realize how academically rigorous and intensive these programs are and, while I am able, I want to dive in. I also recognize that having a grounded and foundational understanding of the Bible can and will inform the rest of my vocational goals, whatever they may be. If I end up pursuing the vocation of therapist/social worker, the knowledge I gain from a formal theological education will be invaluable. I am trust that God will marry these passions and gifts at some point in my life. I'm hoping that as I continue to discover who He is, and who He has created me to be, I will get closer and closer to the vocation I am called to.
At The Seattle School, I was accepted to the Master's of Christian Psychology Program, and at Gordon-Conwell, I was accepted to the Biblical Languages Program. I'm waiting to hear back from Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Over the past year, I have felt torn between two worlds: the world of academia and the world of Christian Psychology. I have decided right now to pursue the languages while I have the time and the energy. I realize how academically rigorous and intensive these programs are and, while I am able, I want to dive in. I also recognize that having a grounded and foundational understanding of the Bible can and will inform the rest of my vocational goals, whatever they may be. If I end up pursuing the vocation of therapist/social worker, the knowledge I gain from a formal theological education will be invaluable. I am trust that God will marry these passions and gifts at some point in my life. I'm hoping that as I continue to discover who He is, and who He has created me to be, I will get closer and closer to the vocation I am called to.
I'm excited for the next chapter of my journey.
-Shayla Marie
