“Think of it as a blessing in disguise.”
Being told no is always hard. I’ve always thought that. But it wasn’t till just recently, that I realized something. Being told no, just opens another door for someone else to tell you yes. It could also mean that something better is on its way. I’ll give you an example.
I was in my junior year of high school, already knowing what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go after I graduated from high school. That was to attend Russell Sage for psychology. I thought psychology was so interesting and it was something that always stuck out to me. Also in my junior year, I had come across the fact that in my senior year, I could be apart of a program called New Visions. The program was almost an all day thing and was designed specifically for students that wanted to go into health care. I thought to myself “how perfect would that be if I could make it into that program for psychology?” Also, one of my best friends was in it her senior year and always said how much she enjoyed it. That’s when I knew I had to apply. I attended the field trip that was held to go over to the hospital and see some of the sites and get a few questions answered. By doing that, I wanted it even more. When it was finally time to apply, I made sure that I got everything done early. I then scheduled my interview during my fifth period English class. I was so excited, but nervous at the same time. The interview went pretty well. I was very honest and I told the lady that was in charge how much I loved psychology.
A couple days later, I was walking to French, when my guidance counselor saw me in the hall. She told me that when I got a chance, to come see her. She didn’t look too happy, so I automatically thought it was something bad. Had I done something wrong? I thought. I didn’t think I was mean or rude to anyone. I hadn’t had an emotional break down in class that week. It was on my mind until my study hall that day, when I finally had the chance to talk to her. That’s when she told me that I had not made it into New Visions. I was absolutely devastated. So many emotions were running through my head. Did the lady not like what I was wearing? Did she not like how honest I was? To this day, I do not remember the reason I didn’t make in. One thing that I do remember my guidance counselor telling me was “think of it as a blessing in disguise.” I laughed to myself when she told me that. I didn’t understand how it could be that. I thought to myself “she probably is just saying that to make me feel better.”
I tried to keep it together on the way home on the bus that day. When I got home, I went for a walk and cried even harder. I felt like an absolute failure because of this. I didn’t understand why that happened. I questioned my relationship with God at that point too. Is this what he wanted? Did he mean to get me this upset?
Fast forward to now. I am a senior at Utica College studying Communications and Media. I am the Assistant News Editor for the Utica College Tangerine, as well as Co President of the National Society of Leadership and Success at UC. I am the Webmaster for the college’s Bible Study as well as the Psychology Society.
I am not studying Psychology and am not at Russell Sage. I guess my guidance counselor was right that day. Not getting into New Visions was a blessing in disguise for me. If I had made it in, I probably would have not discovered my love for Communications. If I had made it in, I probably wouldn’t have made all these connections in the communications field. If I had made it in, I probably wouldn’t have used the power of social media to meet Carmindy, who is one of my biggest inspirations.
Even though I am a senior now and am still looking for an internship, I know I will find something and I know I will have a great road ahead of me.
If something doesn’t work out, I know that it’s a blessing in disguise.
