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Ashlynn Chatham

Mrs. Mua

Public Health English Honors Pd. 3

5/3/19

5 Year Plan

With 17 long days left of my high school career, means adulthood starts in 17 long days.

Growing up I always thought making my college decision was going to be easy and I always

knew what I wanted to do.. Until the day came where I had to fill out college apps, and choose a

major it was a whole other level of stress I have never felt before. Being a senior and being 18 it

was extremely hard for me to choose a career path, I felt like every other week my mind was

going back and forth on what I wanted to major in, and it was very tough. I got into 3 CSU’s

with 3 different majors. My final choice was to stay at Merced JC and get my 2 years done while

working, to then transfer to a nursing school to continue my dream as a Pediatrics Nurse. I never

thought this is where I would end up, but everything happens for a reason.

In August I will begin my 15 units at the JC, while working when I am not in school. My

goal for the next year is to depend on my parents less, while staying on top of my school work.

Even though I will be living at my parents house still I will provide for myself more, just like I

would have to if I went to any other CSU. I always thought staying at the JC was such a bad

idea and people only stay here because they can’t afford school. But now that I have grown up

and made my decision, I think it will be the most beneficial for me. I get to go to school my first

year for free, while saving my money for my schooling down the road. I think with my time

management, and dedication this plan will be successful for me, and I am ready for all of the
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challenges that are going to come my way.

I am a nursing major, which means I have been put into a lot of science and anatomy

classes along with biology classes. By my second year at the JC I will be looking for and

applying to nursing schools. At the end of May I will be done at Merced College leaving with

my associates degree My goal is to end up at a Nursing school in Arizona, but I will go anywhere

that will take me, especially because it is so competitive. By that time I will be financially stable

to live on my own and support myself wherever I end up continuing my nursing degree.

As I begin my 2 years at nursing school I know I am going to be extremely busy. 3-4

years into my college career I plan to focus all of my time on school, while getting a part time

job. I have to support myself and living on my own, and I don’t want to live in debt. A typical

week in the RN program consists of 5-8 in the classroom a day. That doesn’t count studying

either. In order to support myself, go to school, and study I am going to need to be on top of my

time management and schedules. This is not a time to slack off, these 2 years are going to be the

most important years. During these 2 years, I can go to the local hospital and try to volunteer to

get my foot in the door or work the front desks to get experience so when I am done at school I

have a place to start. 3 years seems so far away, but 3 years at Merced High went by in the blink

of a eye.

Year 5… the most bittersweet. By this time I will be working in a hospital probably

beginning in the RN and working my way up to the Pediatrics. I will be making a lot of money

and working all of the time. All my hard work will finally be paying off and I am so eager to get

to this point. I will be helping people every single day and working long hard hours. I will be

able to pay off any debt I may have and support myself.
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