My son came home after completing his first year of college yesterday. We are all very happy to have him back. He was ready to come home. A person can only take so much independence (read: partying and eating pizza for dinner five nights out of seven). After much soul searching and testing the waters in different collegiate disciplines, he has decided to study biology and anthropology. An interesting mix that doesn't seem to lead directly into any sort of occupation. But that's Ok. He will be just fine no matter what road he chooses to follow (with, hopefully, only minimal course correcting from us.)
Speaking of sons making their way in the world.... did you know that Sir Isaac Newton's mother took him out of school so that he could follow in his father's footsteps as a farmer? After a failed year at managing the family farm, Isaac's uncle took matters into his own hands, getting Isaac admitted to Trinity College. Isaac had always been a handful up to this point but the threat of having to return to the farm was just what he needed to take his studies more seriously. Although my missing astronomy and physics gene prohibits me from fully understanding everything Isaac contributed, I do understand the importance of gravity, and not just in the practical sense.
Newton was a colossus without parallel in the history of science. His theory will never be outmoded. Designed to predict the motions of heavenly bodies, it does its job with unbelievable accuracy — better than one part in a hundred million for the motion of the earth round the sun. It remains in daily use to predict the orbits of moons and planets, comets and spacecraft
Stephen Hawking. Lucasian Professor, Cambridge.
Is my son the next Isaac Newton? No, probably not, but he does have something unique and special to offer the world. You never know where life will lead you. You just have to try to do your best, find something you love and enjoy the ride along the way.
Bonus pics - Dorm Room Life - The Aftermath
That looks so neat and clean compared to my dorm room back in the day of disco. Kids are out already? I remember finals ending the first week of May (always put a damper on my birthday) around here.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right that you never know where life will take you...I have a teaching degree and was a teacher for 2 years in Wisconsin...now I'm a Customer Service Manager at a nonprofit in Chicago (which I really enjoy). My husband (who graduated with a history degree) is working on getting his first book sold...
ReplyDeleteYou just never know. :)
Biology and Anthropology seem like complimentary disciplines.
ReplyDeleteHe could work in a forensics lab like 'Bones'..That would be cool!
Jeanna - I think the college year is getting shorter and shorter every year. I wish they would do that with the workday.
ReplyDeleteMiss HP - There are a lot of forks in the road aren't there?
Sling - I hadn't thought about that. That would be cool. Just so long as he doesn't end up as a used car salesman.
Hey, just wanted you to know that I finally added your blog to the links on my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteAaah to be that young again... I think those are great things to study!
ReplyDeleteThe faith you have in your son is a wonderful gift for him to carry on to be whatever he wants to be...for himself...wish more mums were like this...he will love you all the more because you let him be himself...and make his own choices.
ReplyDelete