Life Planning and the Accompanying Stress

image is mine.

When I was a senior in high school, I wasn't too worried about college and the whole process of applying and getting in.  I knew I wanted to go to a church school and just did what it took to go to one. Meanwhile, my friends stressed out, did tons of research, and prepared for the SAT as if their citizenship depended on it.

Now I understand.


If all goes according to plan, I'll graduate from BYU-Idaho in July 2013. That's 16 months away. I want to get my MPA after that--but where? Now I'm doing what my peers did looking for an undergrad program--trying to figure out where I'd like to live and study, where the good programs are, and how much each place would cost. I've also learned that I need to start studying for the GRE three months ago.

But as I've looked around, I've been excited. I know any program will be expensive, but I'm willing to do what it takes to further my education. And I'm still working on where to apply, but here's my short list.

• BYU
• La Verne
• MAYBE Loyola New Orleans. Their MPA program is also a JD program.
• LSU (added post-publishing, thanks to Sister Sant)
• Memphis 
• (If I go east, I have to go South. I'm not sure why.)
• UCI
• Cal State Fullerton

But who knows. Maybe I'll change my mind again and that will open a whole new range of options.

And that's just what's coming up later. What do I even do about the news that my internship, while still happening, will not be paid, and that any job I get while doing my internship will have to be approved by my teacher? And then how do I make time (or pay for) the 10 credits of online classes I'll be taking this summer? 

Now here's the cool part.

Yesterday as I began to process all of this information and worry about it, I opened up my scriptures to where my bookmark would have me read next--the Liberty Jail sections of Doctrine & Covenants. (For those not acquainted with LDS church history or scripture, look here.) Let me tell you, reading those words brought comfort and a reassurance that everything will work out somehow.

And it is going to be fantastic.

Sweet is the Peace, Indeed.

Here it is. Finals week. Five days of frantic studying, project-doing, test-taking, cleaning--then it's time to go home. Both my roommates and many of my friends won't be returning. (Darn you, Fall-Spring track!) I was kind of panicking about it when I woke up Friday morning. I felt awful and busy and overwhelmed before I even got out of bed. My unworded prayer for direction was answered with an idea--you don't have class today--go to the temple before you study. I, for one, was down.

  (The only picture of the Rexburg Temple I've taken since I've gone to school here--what's wrong with me?)

 

One thing I know for sure I did wrong this semester was that I didn't go to the temple often enough. But returning first thing Friday morning set me straight. I ran into a friend from home (who has one of the sunniest smiles and cutest blogs I ever have seen). I was able to escape my normal distractions and just feel the peace that comes from slowing down and serving those who came before me.