3rd in a series of posts. To see 2nd post, click here.

Two weeks before the Fall 2013 priority registration became available, I was obsessively looking at all the different classes I could take that would cover my basics and my electives.

About a week before registering, I contacted my academic advisor (my instructor) and asked if I could meet with him to discuss choices for future classes. We met in his office and talked more about the general field of Psychology. I gave him a general description of what I wanted to do. I want to work with military families, specifically the spouses. There are always people out there for service members to go to. Rarely do you find someone or someplace that really caters to the military spouse. When I needed the support, I was looked-over or turned away. I would not want anyone go through what I did.

After listening to a part of my story and aspirations, my instructor looked over the different classes available to me and helped me choose the right courses. Because I was straight-forward about what I wanted to do as a career, I registered for classes that would benefit me and help me receive an associate degree. I signed up for two psychology courses that will definitely prepare me for more in-depth psychology courses at a senior institution.

Sometimes it’s difficult to look inside ourselves to find out what we really want to accomplish in our lives. It’s even harder to explain it to someone else. It’s important to get the assistance of an advisor or a mentor, even if you feel like you know what you’re doing. It’s especially important to those who are just beginning their college career. If you keep quiet about your thoughts, feelings, desires, likes, and dislikes, you’ll end up following the wrong path—or no path at all.

By Gerona Nylander
NVC Student & Public Relations Administrative Assistant