I really enjoyed Sarah Jilling's self-actualization workshop last week. It made me really think about what my happiness is and if I have achieved it. I realized that I am very happy and mostly grateful to be at Hamilton College. I didn't expect to come to Hamilton at all, but after being here for a semester now, I am so glad I ended up here at Hamilton.
I think it was interesting that most of our class said one of the most important factors that contribute to happiness was relationships. I strongly agree with this because I have had an amazing experience here at Hamilton thanks to the great friends I have met and the great professors I have had as well. Although I have never had such a tough schedule with classes, jobs and clubs, I feel a positive stress as opposed to the negative stress I experienced at my competitive high school. I think having a solid groups of friends is really important. My days are significantly better from just being around them all the time. I really liked the marbles in the jar analogy that Sarah Jillings mentioned. I realized that my friends truly get so excited for each other's successes all the time and I am so glad to have that support here. At home, I have an amazing support system as well, but it is much different. I have to worry more about the bills, my loans, taxes, etc. and at Hamilton (although I do worry about that), it is not constantly on my mind.
I am not really sure what I want to do with my life at all. I am pre-med but not because my parents told me to be. My parents have never suggested I go pre-med and have always supported me in whatever I did. The only thing they really stressed growing up was sports. Although I started sports due to my brother and parents, I am really glad they pushed me down that direction. I loved having a sports-oriented family. I learned so much from team sports, made amazing friends and it really brought my family close together through constant tournament traveling. I bring this up because sometimes things are forced, but I end up truly enjoying them. After the workshop, I realized I am not sure what I really like. I like a lot of things, I laugh at almost everything, and I find happiness from very small things. I like being outdoors, community service, food, sleeping, puppies, but I feel as if I haven't found my real "passion." This is why I am glad Sarah Jillings told us that she was a business major at Hamilton and has completely changed her mind since then. I still don't know what I want to do or what makes me truly happy but now I am more aware about where I am. Like this workshop, this class has made me more aware about what I am reading and what I chose to believe and why.
As i mentioned in my blog post as well, I was intrigued at the workshop! It helped me re-evaluate my life and how it was going. Just like you, I am also on the path for pre-med. Growing up, I was fascinated with how the human body works. On top of that, helping people was another major factor that led me to chase my dreams of one day becoming a doctor.
ReplyDeleteIt's freaking me out how much I relate to this post... I never really expected to come to Hamilton either, but I'm so glad I decided to put all my marbles in the Hamilton jar (if that makes sense). It makes a lot of sense that relationships are a big deal in the context of Hamilton- I've found that because since it's such a [relatively] small community, strong relationships are a key aspect of being a student here. I'm pre-med too, and I've never felt pressured into it either. I agree with Henry that there is something wholesome in the concept of working in medicine, and Sarah Jilling's presentation really helped reinforce that for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many things you said. I can relate to this post. I have not found my true passions yet. I also laugh at everything and love and appreciate the small things. Honestly, I get nervous when people ask me questions like "what do you want to do in the future?" or even "what are your hobbies?" I feel like my answers are very inadequate or lame because I'm not an athletic person and I'm not very artistic. The things I like are spending time with friends and family, being outside, helping others, and I like playing the guitar and taking photos. But I feel as I can't call any of those my "passions", and that honestly scares me a lot.
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