Back Again for a Victory Lap

This year I did the last thing I ever expected I would ever do, return to high school for the dreaded victory lap :(

 When it came to applying to university I thought I knew exactly what I wanted. I kept my options open and applied to several universities with similar programs and I was confident that it would all work out in the end.

However, when the acceptance letters came in May, I became extremely stressed. I felt like everything was happening so fast and I just couldn’t keep up. All I could think about was what if I don’t like my program? Or what if I don’t go to the right school? I was completely overwhelmed. That’s when I decided to take a step back and think about – WHAT DO I REALLY WANT? and the truth was that I had no clue.  

So, ultimately I decided that I really wasn’t as ready for University as I thought. It was obviously a blow to my parents who had ALWAYS pushed me in school and were sure I was headed off to university in September. I made the choice to not waste my year off and to go back to high school for one more year to try courses that I had never taken and find out want I really wanted.   

In the end, things all worked out. I went to school and took a ton of business courses which I am surprisingly good at and made tons of friends. Sure I missed a few university parties and “new” university experiences… but I think that it’s worth the wait for me because now I have a good idea of what I truly want for myself.

To anyone who is applying to school or is unsure of what they want after high school, my advice to you is to take your time. Today, more and more grade 12 students are coming back for a victory lap because at 16, 17 and 18 years old, face it we’re are still kids, we don’t know exactly what we want or if it will work out and it’s really tough to make such a monumental decision at our age. Personally, nearly half my grade has came back this year for a victory lap and many others dropped out of their programs because they were unsure of what they wanted. So don’t second guess your self, have a plan. When you teachers or guidance counsellors tell you to do you research, do it. Visit the universities you apply to and you will know right away if you are well suited for a small or large university and if you want to live on residence or at home. It a tough decision but it’s ultimately yours to make so don’t rush into it if you’re not ready.

By: Anne