Hello everyone, my name is Sarah, I’m 23 years old, and I’m going back to college.

It seems like a very common thing nowadays to take a break before getting serious about college. I mean, there are still plenty of 23-year-olds still in college, whether for their masters or because they took a gap year off, (or in my case 3 years) etc. I’m not exactly the old lady on the block, though sometimes I really feel like it. 

No, the age isn’t really the surprising thing I don’t think, it’s more of the fact that I AM going back to school. I as in Me. Sarah.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against education and learning. I love learning. It’s more of the fact that for the past few years I’ve told myself and others over and over that I didn’t want to go back to college, especially not in the US. Yet here I am.

So why this sudden change of heart? It was only 3 months ago that I was sitting on a beach in Australia, enjoying my life as a free bird, wanting to continue living a nomad and make my own fortunes on my own, without going into massive amounts of debt. I was taking a stand against big corporations, greed, and the societal norm that you can only become successful if you have a degree. What a load of bull.

I still believe that to this day but I’ve come to this point in my life where… I don’t know. I need something to work towards. I need a goal. And yes, this goal is a very expensive one, but it can also open opportunities for me. Partly, overseas opportunities.

It was also in Australia where a lot of my friends were able to get job sponsors to stay because they had a bachelors yet I, sadly, did not. So that was a bit of a push to study once again.

Then coming home, getting the absolute worst job I’ve ever had, and realizing I’m only skilled in hospitality… yeah. That was also a big push to study.

But it was also learning what I could study. I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, I still don’t, but I’ve decided to at least follow a passion that could open doors to help others and include my love of traveling; international relations. A lot of IR students go into government but that is definitely not my plan. A non-profit would be more suitable for me. Or possibly working in the wine industry. The plan is to focus on business so it is a little more suited for travel. Plus, mandatory study abroad?! Yes, please!

So basically, I want to go back to school to give myself options. To not feel trapped by borders, or a lack of a piece of paper that so many feel. And while getting this degree to work for someone else is not my end goal, it’s certainly a good back up and a very productive way to spend time while I figure out what exactly I want to do.

Has anyone else ever taken a break from school only to go back? Why did you go back? Let me know in the comments below!