It was 1963 when I began hunting for a college. The process wasn’t especially complicated 47 years ago, and I applied to three schools. Rejected by one, accepted by another and given a conditional acceptance by the third (a “yes” but I’d have to live at home), the choice was easy.
Tonight Birgitta and I are bunking on the fourth floor of the massive student union building at the University of Iowa and are scheduled for a campus tour at 8:00 AM. I attended a college with 2500 students; this university has 30,000. My school had girl-dorms and guy-dorms; this school has only co-ed housing. My college had a 10:00 PM curfew on week nights; this school keeps buildings open all night. My college covered several square blocks; this one covers several square miles. And I’m nervous.
But Birgitta is a girl who sets goals and reaches for them. She’s done diligent research, knows what she wants to study, has defined a desire to attend a big school, has applied to five universities and has been accepted by three so far. The world is opening to her, and she’s eager to walk into it while carefully considering later consequences to the decisions she’s making today.
Tonight we both missed Nate to the point of tears, knowing this was his kind of project. He would have had particular interest in the University of Iowa, because he spent one of his high school summers on this campus in an accelerated program for debaters. Had he been with us, wandering the campus this afternoon might have prompted life stories we may not have heard before. When I tried to encourage us both by suggesting Nate might know of Birgitta’s acceptance and our trip to Iowa she said, “Yes, but we can’t get his feedback.”
Well put. And we long for that which we can’t have.
But we’re trying to do our best without him, to ask the right questions and accurately retain the answers.
Birgitta is 19, living within the most critical decade of her life. It’s a difficult time to be without a dad. Between the ages of 17 and 27, the majority of American young people will make the eight most important decisions of their lives, setting the trajectory for all the years to follow:
- whether or not to attend college and if so, which one
- whether or not religious faith will matter and if so, faith in what or who
- what type of friends to choose
- what to do about addictive substances, smoking, drinking, etc.
- what career to prepare for and the first “real” job
- whether or not to marry, and if so, who
- where to live and begin putting down roots
- whether or not to have children
Talk about pressure.
Birgitta wants to be proactive about life rather than letting life just happen to her, and she knows choosing a university is her springboard. But she’ll have to find a balance between being diligent in decisions she can control and planning a future she can’t. Landing on that sweet spot in the middle is a venture even seasoned adults find difficult. But though she misses the advice her earthly father would have given her, something tells me Birgitta will do alright, because she knows how to access the counsel of her heavenly Father.
“Be wise… Make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5)
Good Luck!:-)
good job, Britt.. sounds smashing! go for it!
Papa would be so excited for you, Gitta. We are too!
I graduated from here with a BSN in the 70’s. It’s a big school. I loved living on the west side of the river in Hillcrest. Good luck with your decision! You’ll have a whole host of blog readers praying!
Gitta, Big change, big decision. Bigger God. will br praying, will share this with grandpa welch.I know he will also pray. Love you both
Tim and I graduated from U of Iowa. We had a great experience. The Navigator ministry (or one like it) was a must for us on a large secular campus. There is a great Ev Free church right near campus. Pastor Ted Olson was pastor there many years ago. (also graduated with my BSN in the 80’s)
Yeah, Brit, chase life instead of just ‘letting it happen’, you’ll be great. It’s a big honor to be able to go to college. Papa would be beaming at the thought of you in study, in pursuit of understanding.
Yeah, Gitta! We will be praying for you as you make these big decisions! You are lucky to have a wise mama by your side. Listen to her guidance. 🙂
I echo Julia: You do have a wise Mama with you. Enjoy your time together and don’t worry. Doesn’t sound like there are any bad choices, only good ones. Praying you will know what’s the best one.
Love you…both!
I agree with Mary- all your choices are good… but there are so many these days and it is more complicated- Birgitta has a good problem- several options are open to her. Must have been that fine schooling she received at JHHS. 🙂
Small world, Deb-I became a Christian through the Navigator’s at the U of I. That’s the biggest thing where ever the particular school winds up being- the fellowship of a strong Christian organization on campus.
“Lord, give wisdom and direction on this important choice, and bring confirming evidence to solidify a decision. Amen.”
Love,
Terry
Those college years are so precious — and important. Praying you’ll make the right choices. Ruth
Gitta!! I’m so excited for you! It’s going to be hard but so fun at the same time!
Go for it, Gitta….life is such an adventure and true, the decisions and choices you make today will affect the rest of your life and the level of interest, excitement and success of that adventure. You are a beautiful, lively young woman with a foundational upbringing that surpasses many; intelligent, loving, Godly mother to help guide you, and rememberance of a loving papa who -tho you may not see him physically, is still with you, watching over you, and your Heavenly Father carries you on. He…is a prayer away – always…sees you, and hears you – 24/7/365…!!
Blessings and prayers,
Patzian
How exciting, Birgitta, to be making these decisions. The Lord knows all the details ahead, and I’m praying for His wisdom.
I stumbled on this post recently, even though it was posted almost a month ago. My son is 16 and just recently decided to change his career vocation from being a pilot to some field of medicine. All of a sudden the choices for college have changed and I miss my husband’s input on these college and career decisions. For this reason, I appreciated your post. Thank you.
I’m certain you will have a huge amount of new products /
atomizers that nobody imagined – which the things I look forward to probably the most.