It’s popular to attend college in America. Either we all go, or think about going.
I went to three colleges. I attended Pensacola Christian College for a year. I majored in pre-law. Decided that wasn’t for me. Transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Paramedic school for a year. After becoming an EMT, I then transferred to the University of Montevallo and finished with a degree in history and business.
After graduation, I began teaching Latin.
In other words, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
You know what I wish? I wish someone had sat me down and said, “Let’s look at your strengths. Let’s look at your passions. Let’s look at your gifts. Let’s find out what you are good at… and then let’s head in that direction.”
I love Europe. Absolutely love it. I love the history, the languages, the people and the food. To me, it’s home. Given a choice, I would have formally studied European languages in school. Or, I would have started some sort of travel company. And, then there’s cycling. Oh, man. I love being on a bike. Lately, I have been thinking… I wonder if I could lead bike tours of Caesar’s battlefields in France. I would be combining French, Latin, Europe and bikes.
I would be as happy as the spaceship building character in the Lego Movie.
But, no. That is not what I did. Instead, I was like the man who hopped on a horse and rode off in every direction.
I can tell you from experience, that is a powerful way to waste a lot of money.
Before you go to college, Before you pick a degree, take some time to figure out what you want to do with your life. Take some time to figure out what you’re good at.
Here’s the problem. If you’re not sure what you want to do, and if you’re not sure what you’re good at, there’s a very good chance you are not exactly sure how to find the answers you need.
That’s where this week’s tip comes in.
Go check out this site: https://studentpatterns.com/.
Seriously, the site is worth your time. I spent some time on it and discovered some truths about myself that I had not been able to articulate. Turns out, I probably do not belong in the classroom. I really do belong in a bike shop, or outside exploring.
I had some of my kids test the site out.
Sure enough, it helped them identify things about themselves that they were unable to articulate on their own.
My son should probably skip college and get right to work. My middle daughter, on the other hand, would likely do very well in college. Like me, she would do well studying languages.
I should only send my son to college to study languages if I hate money and need to find a way to get rid of it.
I don’t like wasting money… and neither do you. Before you spend thousands of dollars sending your kids off, take some time to help steer them in the right direction.
Student patterns will help you do that. Go check it out.
Have a happy Saturday!
Dwane Thomas
P.S. Student patterns will help you answer the college/major question. But, as my wife has pointed out multiple times, it also helps you learn more about your kids. She looked at the results and found herself saying, “Oh. That’s why the kids act that way!”
If you, like my wife and I, need help figuring your kids out… then: Student patterns.
Every Saturday, I send out a tip of the week. I also include announcements, upcoming classes, and so on. If you would like to hear from me every weekend, sign up for my weekly updates here:
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