What I am Doing Here
A few years ago I was dreaming of doing maths in Oxford with the shiniest minds in the country. Now, here I am, twenty-years old and still living in the comparatively dull home I’ve always lived in. I surrendered my maths ambitions and signed up for a course in Creative and Professional Writing at my local university, and I’m now in my second year.
So, you’re probably wondering; ‘why are you here?’
To be blunt, it started with a mental health breakdown. It caused my grades to suffer and my lifelong educational dreams slipped out of my grasp. Nevermind. At the time I felt so lost, but looking back, I’m glad I dusted myself off and moved in another direction. I spent a year studying art and then I had to make another choice; take up maths again, study music marketing in London, or start again a second time and study creative writing. I realised over the course of the year that maths wasn’t what defined me, even though for most of my life that was what I believed. I adored the idea of studying away from home and focusing on the music industry, but something just drew me toward the idea of writing for more than releasing my anxieties or frustrations with the world.
It was a terrifying opportunity, but it was one I had to take.
I couldn’t tell you how this course will shape my future career path, I wouldn’t know how to begin to put those words together. What I do know is that creative writing degrees are far more employable than many believe. A degree is usually integral to getting a well-paid job in the world today, and the course I am on provides hands on experience with key skills such as critical thinking and clear communication. No matter what literary career you want to get involved with, the degree course I am on provides fantastic industry insight. I have so many remarkable tutors with vast arrays of industry experience; from self-publishing to performers and writers of prose, poetry, and any other form you can think of. I have met many fellow students, all with incredibly varied backgrounds and pasts, we all agree we learn so much in our workshops and seminars; not many courses can guarantee that.
Over my past twenty years of life my dreams for the future have changed regularly and constantly. I went from dreaming of doing maths daily to being an artist and now I am a writer. I love it, but I didn’t think I’d be here only a couple years ago. What I’ve wanted as a career has changed dramatically, too. I think, though, what I’d like more than anything is to be a librarian. I’d like to continue writing as well, of course, but I don’t think anything would bring me more joy than sharing books with children who are eager to learn, teenagers who are binging entire series of novels, adults who are desperately trying to prove a point to their friend, or just helping someone return some books after thoroughly enjoying them. Maybe one day my work could find its way onto library shelves, but I think I am satisfied enough with being a part of a community that shares books and knowledge.
I never set out to become a successful author or the poet laureate. I’m here because I wanted to figure out my identity I felt I lost when I was floundering in my final years of school. I never imagined I’d get to a point in my life where I wasn’t striving to be the best at anything ever. I’m just striving to be genuine to me.
