I feel like everybody goes through different sorts of changes in their life. Everybody has different milestones, but I think a lot of people in college or post-secondary education can relate to this experience of changing their mind about their path. As simple as it sounds, it can  become the beginning of a new chapter, a new journey—one that you may never have realized you needed. Those moments in life can be transformative, even though they might feel overwhelming or scary at the time.

For me, right after graduating from high school, I knew I wasn’t going to jump into post-secondary right away. I had decided to take some time off to travel first, and then I planned to start post-secondary during the spring/winter term. At the time, I felt good about my decision. It gave me a chance to see the world, explore new experiences, and think about what I wanted to do.

When I finally started post-secondary, I was enrolled at Langara in the Health Sciences program. From the start, I thought this was the right choice for me. My mom had always wanted one of her girls to pursue a career in health sciences. It had been a dream of hers for as long as I could remember, and my sister had already walked away from that dream. I felt like it was my turn to step up and try to fulfill it. I had good grades, I was motivated, and I truly believed I was ready for that challenge.

At first, I tried to convince myself that becoming a travel nurse was the career for me. It seemed like a stable job with good pay, and it was a field that society generally respects. On paper, it sounded like everything I could want in a career. But as the semester progressed, I realized something important: I wasn’t passionate about what I was learning.

The truth hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like I was taking up someone else’s spot in the program—someone who might have actually wanted to be there. Every class felt like a struggle. I lacked motivation and excitement that should’ve been a part of my learning. I found myself in a deep, depressive state that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It was the first time in my life that I truly felt incredibly lost.

I was failing my classes—not because I wasn’t trying, but because I couldn’t grasp the material. I spent countless nights studying until 3 or 4 a.m., crying over textbooks and lecture notes, only to walk into exams knowing I was gonna fail. The concepts just didn’t stick, no matter how hard I tried.

The only class I felt  confident in was English. It was an academic writing course, and I knew get at least a B. But my other classes were a nightmare. Statistics, was like torture. I’ve never been good at math, so the material completely consumed me. While I had done okay in high school biology, the memorization required in a college-level course was on a whole new level. It was just too much for me to handle.

Adding to my struggles was the long commute to campus. Some people wake up incredibly early and travel long distances to get to schools like UBC or SFU, and I admire them for that. But for me, the commute to Langara felt like a chore. The only bliss I felt in it where cold quite mornings on the bus to school when I would sit on a single seater with headphones in wistfully looking out the window.

The only thing I genuinely liked about Langara was studying in the T-building. There was something peaceful about that space, and it became a small comfort in a difficult time. My daily routine, however, was far from ideal. I would buy Starbucks every morning—breaking my bank in the process—head to class, and then go to a job I hated. My days were repetitive, and I felt stuck in a cycle of unhappiness.

Socially, I wasn’t doing much better. I had little to no interaction with others, and I felt isolated. Looking back, that period of my life was one of the hardest I’ve ever experienced.

If you have an Asian mom, you’ll understand what I’m about to say. My mom had always been a driving force in my academic life. Her expectations were high, and I often felt like I was living her dream rather than my own at the time.

One day, as I was scrolling through my computer, I stumbled across the Radio Arts and Entertainment program. at BCIT. It felt like fate. I clicked on the program description, read through the courses and job opportunities, and instantly had a lightbulb moment. For the first time in a long time, I saw a potential future that aligned with my passions and interests.

I’ve always been a huge sports fan, and the idea of working in sports journalism felt like a dream. Beyond sports, I’ve also had a long-standing passion in fashion and marketing. I would say I’m a  social person who enjoys yapping with others, but I’m also quite introverted, which helps me stay grounded. The Radio Arts and Entertainment program seemed like the perfect fit for my personality and goals.

By March , I had made up my mind to apply. When I told my mom about my decision, her reaction was intense. She looked at me as though I had just dropped a bombshell. I could see the disappointment in her eyes, and for a moment, I questioned whether I was making the right choice.

It wasn’t an easy conversation. I explained to her that I wasn’t happy in Health Sciences and that continuing it just wasn’t an option for me. I told her that I needed to follow a career that aligned with my passions and interests, even if it wasn’t what she had envisioned for me.

Eventually, she came around. My dad, on the other hand, was supportive from the start. He told me he could see how unhappy I was and that he was proud of me for making the decision to change paths early on.

At 18 years old, I made one of the most important decisions of my life. I applied for the Radio Arts and Entertainment program at BCIT, and by April, I received my acceptance letter. I was so happy and relieved. My dad was the first person I called, and he was so happy for me. Then I told my mom and sister, and they were thrilled too. It felt like a fresh start—a new beginning.

Now, nearly two years into the program, I can confidently say that I made the right choice. The past couple of years have been some of the most rewarding and fulfilling of my life. I’ve met incredible people, gained valuable skills, and had amazing opportunities that I never would have experienced if I hadn’t taken that leap of faith.

I’m excited to build a career in marketing or PR. Over time, my new developed a passion for social media marketing and public relations has also aided in this career change. I find social media research incredibly intriguing.

I know the job market is competitive, but I believe that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Every change I’ve made in my life has led me to where I am now, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Little 18-year-old me made a brave decision, and it was the right one. I know this is where I’m meant to be. My future feels bright, and I’m ready to take on new challenges,  so stay positive, and keep growing.