Decide the Future of America Right Here...

[AfRoMaN36]

Well... not really, but I have a really crucial decision to make in my life that will ultimately decide my future. And unlike some of my recent impulse mistakes, I am going to take my time with this decision. I am going to hear everybody, everywheres opinion. I will not rush this or go with whatever I feel like doing. I'm a student in college right now for Nursing. Very good yes? Uhm.... no. The major is extremely competitive and extremely stressful. Forcing anyone with a GPA lower than 3.5 to go look elsewhere. My GPA is 2.5 so unless via some miracle I raise my average by a whole point by next year, I have a horrendous uphill climb for me. Trust me, I struggled to get that 2.5 GPA. In high school I was never more than a 70 average student. This is good for me. I finished a semester with an average over 80 ONCE in four years. Realizing that while I love having the odds stacked against me because it makes me work harder, there comes a point where impossible is impossible. I looked for other options today. I attended a meeting today that covered just that. The speaker told us that we will never succeed in Nursing if our heart isnt in it 100%. And to ask ourselves if there is some other hobbie or career we have our eyes on because no matter what your grades are, if you dont like what youre doing, you will never be happy. While I would love to become a nurse; I love to help people, and I'm very knowledgeable of the human body. It isnt my only love. I love to write. Stories, screenplays, scripts. You name it. I love getting the reader emotionally attatched with a character I've created. I always felt that I would pursue it if Nursing failed. Some of you guys in here are already familiar with my writing. (Gfeds, My Old Reviews of RAW and Smackdown, etc.) I could write things down on paper I would NEVER say verbally. Problem is I've invested so much in my nursing program, I've gone so far in. I've even got the scrubs. I've also been handed other options which go with health. I could just branch out into smaller health jobs like radiology or pharmcy. Stuff like that. So I'd be helping people and I would have to deal with the competitve nature of the nursing program. And the prestige of my career is very important to me. I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference. But what should I do? Remember I'm trying to reduce stress so I'd be able to shuffle in a job and possibly a mate without much juggling. I tried juggling all three just a few months back with catastrophic results. Turns out I love myself more than I'll ever love any other woman.... now isnt that just hard to believe?

[Guest cmdrsam]

Well I'm gonna give some vague advise here so bare with me. 1. Advise is something you already know, but you want someone else to tell you. 2. If you love something that much do you ever really consider it work? Just a couple of quick tips for ya.

[AfRoMaN36]

You know... you are so right..... That is very vauge advice. :p Do you mind elaborating with your personal thoughts?

[Guest cmdrsam]

"never succeed in Nursing if our heart isnt in it 100%." "I've invested so much in my nursing program, I've gone so far in. I've even got the scrubs. I've also been handed other options which go with health. " Your already looking at it like a chore. Like it could be a weight to you in the future. Try imagining yourself doing nursing in 5 yrs. Do you honestly think you will be happy? That is not for me to answer as it truly is for you and you only. My point is this. If you are questioning yourself now. 5 years from now you maybe kicking yourself by having self doubt, What if I did this, what if I did that.

[AfRoMaN36]

Well I'd love to be a Nurse. The problem certainly isnt the career itself. Its the path to get there. Its tourture. It will certainly pay off if I get there but I dunno if I will get there.

[The Ego]

If i could give you one piece of advice, sunscreen would be it.

[BurningHamster]

Well you would look damn hot in one of those fetish nurse dresses so I understand both your loving yourself and your chosen career path. :p I don't know how it all works in the US, but I know a ton of nursing students down here in Australia as well as lots of people who work in other aspects of health care. Not sure what that difficult major is, but seriously dude ... nurses are needed freaking EVERYWHERE. It's a tough job but if you get into it you will never be out of work and it can be very rewarding stuff. Is it an option for you put the rest of your life on hold and scramble for that 3.5 like a deranged mofo? Also, as far as writing goes it's a great hobby and a great thing to do but financially not too stable. If you do want to get into some part of it, everyone I know who has done things like creative writing finds it to be very er ... unlikely to lead to work but is either lots of fun, or horribly pretentious and boring depending on the day. Journalism is a little better on the job front (only slightly), but not as creative and involves way more nonsense like law and ethics than you really want to do just to write sex advice columns. My advice? Drop out and get yourself a good trade like prostitution or blacksmithing.

[RKO_HBK]

[QUOTE=The Ego;407669]If i could give you one piece of advice, sunscreen would be it.[/QUOTE] Omg, I remember hearing that twice on two retreats I did with school the past few years. What's it called? Either way, I had a giggle reading that again, bit of a shock too.

[AfRoMaN36]

Yeah, while I do realize its extremely easy finding a job being a nurse. The exact job I'm going for in writing would be that of a tv writer, not really a novelist. I'm not sure exactly what classes I need to do for that or if thats really something I should minor for. Thats why I'm asking for help here. Thanks for the advice so far.

[BurningHamster]

TV writing you should do something like a creative writing unit, and some Film and TV units or whatever the closest equivalent is in the US. I am doing some FTV at the moment and it involves all areas of TV Production from scripting, filming, lighting, editing etc. All the other film stuff might not appeal to you (it is pretty fun though) but understanding the contraints of the production side comes in really handy for scripting as it kind of forces you to make your scripts work in as few shots and locations as possible. Get onto people where you are studying now, fellow students and weary old tutors are usually the best way of finding out what's what, and whether it's worth doing.

[Self]

As someone who went through College on the Screenwriting/Film-making route, I feel the need to say that the job prospects aren't great. The BBC have been stringing me along for about a year now. They liked the piece I sent them, they have my name on "a list", and they're "looking forward to reading my next piece" but that's not a cheque I can cash. To pay my bills, I'm working minimum wage in the office of a lumber mill. Maybe it's my own laziness holding me back, or the fact that writing three features in my last year of College totally burnt me out, but I'm not making a living writing. If I was you, I would carry on the nursing route. Keep writing as a hobby, something to do when you need to keep your mind off the rest of your life. Nursing will give you a wage, it will get you out into the world, and give you the life experience that you can then put into your writing. Maybe one day something will spark, a story you feel compelled to tell, something you have to write. That will be your best shot at a writing career. Writing to write can be a tricky mistress to tame. I'm only 23. I don't know much about the world. This is just my advice. [QUOTE=BurningHamster;408087] but understanding the contraints of the production side comes in really handy for scripting as it kind of forces you to make your scripts work in as few shots and locations as possible.[/QUOTE] Couldn't agree more. It's why I went for a film degree rather than a writing degree.

[BurningHamster]

Not to derail the thread but well ... *derails thread* I'm kind of interested in knowing about the piece you sent the BBC, Self? Anything you can talk about? Or any other stories on dealing with the BBC?

[Self]

[QUOTE=BurningHamster;408548]I'm kind of interested in knowing about the piece you sent the BBC, Self? Anything you can talk about? Or any other stories on dealing with the BBC?[/QUOTE] I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it was a pilot for a medieval action-adventure television show, kind of a darker version of a Hercules, Xena, Robin Hood type thing. Several weeks after sending it to the BBC Writer's Room, I got a letter saying that they thought I had talent, and they looked forward to reading my next piece. I took it to be a generic letter of encouragement, and it was clear that they had no interest in making the show. I'm not too surprised, it would have been as expensive as Robin Hood, but with a far smaller demographic. The main hero was also a questionable heroic figure. I certainly related to him, but many people told me they didn't. However, the BBC Writer's Room are looking for talented writers [I]first[/I], and projects [I]second[/I]. The piece was intended to showcase what I could do, and it served that purpose quite well. Back then (I wrote this almost 2 years ago) I clearly wasn't ready to be hired, but as I grow as a person, and grow as a writer, maybe someday I will be. For anyone wanting to write TV in the UK, the BBC Writer's Room is [I]the[/I] place to submit your work. One of my lecturers when I was in University has been head writer for several children's tv shows, and he told me exactly that. They've got this big network, waiting for the right talent, at the right time. I may actually be making them sound more elitist than they are. I wrote a few more screenplays after that, right up until the end of Uni, but I was working to deadlines and I never came out with anything I was willing to submit. Upon leaving Uni, I was completely burnt out. I couldn't handle writing [I]words[/I] any more. If it wasn't for forum posts, and the TCW efed, I doubt I would have written anything since. Right now, I'm just trying to hold down a job and keep the bills paid. One day I'll find a story I need to write, and I'll do it. Other than that, I've only dealt with the BBC twice. When I was 10 I was on some talent show doing a group "Disco Dance" (long story) and I also applied for a few Work Experience positions, and was thoroughly rejected. If you're interested in working for them, it's well worth applying for these positions, although competition is tough.

[AfRoMaN36]

[QUOTE=Self;408091]As someone who went through College on the Screenwriting/Film-making route, I feel the need to say that the job prospects aren't great. The BBC have been stringing me along for about a year now. They liked the piece I sent them, they have my name on "a list", and they're "looking forward to reading my next piece" but that's not a cheque I can cash. To pay my bills, I'm working minimum wage in the office of a lumber mill. Maybe it's my own laziness holding me back, or the fact that writing three features in my last year of College totally burnt me out, but I'm not making a living writing. If I was you, I would carry on the nursing route. Keep writing as a hobby, something to do when you need to keep your mind off the rest of your life. Nursing will give you a wage, it will get you out into the world, and give you the life experience that you can then put into your writing. Maybe one day something will spark, a story you feel compelled to tell, something you have to write. That will be your best shot at a writing career. Writing to write can be a tricky mistress to tame. I'm only 23. I don't know much about the world. This is just my advice. Couldn't agree more. It's why I went for a film degree rather than a writing degree.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Self;408091]As someone who went through College on the Screenwriting/Film-making route, I feel the need to say that the job prospects aren't great. The BBC have been stringing me along for about a year now. They liked the piece I sent them, they have my name on "a list", and they're "looking forward to reading my next piece" but that's not a cheque I can cash. To pay my bills, I'm working minimum wage in the office of a lumber mill. Maybe it's my own laziness holding me back, or the fact that writing three features in my last year of College totally burnt me out, but I'm not making a living writing. If I was you, I would carry on the nursing route. Keep writing as a hobby, something to do when you need to keep your mind off the rest of your life. Nursing will give you a wage, it will get you out into the world, and give you the life experience that you can then put into your writing. Maybe one day something will spark, a story you feel compelled to tell, something you have to write. That will be your best shot at a writing career. Writing to write can be a tricky mistress to tame. I'm only 23. I don't know much about the world. This is just my advice. Couldn't agree more. It's why I went for a film degree rather than a writing degree.[/QUOTE] Good advice their. Thanks. But just yesterday i spoke to my high school couselor about this, and she told me how its always good to push yourself, but their comes a point where you need to realize your limits. And if somehow pushing my GPA up a point seems out of reach, then perhaps I should look for something else. However at the same time, job opportunities for writing are scarce at best. She told me to do what I'm doing now. Try to finish my semester strong and then just evaluate my options. Also apologies if my grammer is bad in this post. I havent slept the whole night, instead spending the night filling out applications, working on reports for school and watching my Scrubs season 2 dvd. Needless to say, I'm tired.

[BurningHamster]

[QUOTE=Self;408571]I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it was a pilot for a medieval action-adventure television show, kind of a darker version of a Hercules, Xena, Robin Hood type thing. Several weeks after sending it to the BBC Writer's Room, I got a letter saying that they thought I had talent, and they looked forward to reading my next piece. I took it to be a generic letter of encouragement, and it was clear that they had no interest in making the show. I'm not too surprised, it would have been as expensive as Robin Hood, but with a far smaller demographic. The main hero was also a questionable heroic figure. I certainly related to him, but many people told me they didn't. However, the BBC Writer's Room are looking for talented writers [I]first[/I], and projects [I]second[/I]. The piece was intended to showcase what I could do, and it served that purpose quite well. Back then (I wrote this almost 2 years ago) I clearly wasn't ready to be hired, but as I grow as a person, and grow as a writer, maybe someday I will be. For anyone wanting to write TV in the UK, the BBC Writer's Room is [I]the[/I] place to submit your work. One of my lecturers when I was in University has been head writer for several children's tv shows, and he told me exactly that. They've got this big network, waiting for the right talent, at the right time. I may actually be making them sound more elitist than they are. I wrote a few more screenplays after that, right up until the end of Uni, but I was working to deadlines and I never came out with anything I was willing to submit. Upon leaving Uni, I was completely burnt out. I couldn't handle writing [I]words[/I] any more. If it wasn't for forum posts, and the TCW efed, I doubt I would have written anything since. Right now, I'm just trying to hold down a job and keep the bills paid. One day I'll find a story I need to write, and I'll do it. Other than that, I've only dealt with the BBC twice. When I was 10 I was on some talent show doing a group "Disco Dance" (long story) and I also applied for a few Work Experience positions, and was thoroughly rejected. If you're interested in working for them, it's well worth applying for these positions, although competition is tough.[/QUOTE] I probably would have watched your show, I like historical stuff but hate how light and jokey so much of it is. That and the fact Robin Hood is a giant multicultural melting pot of historical revisionism which I find kind of stupid. I've been longing for a somewhat accurate gritty historical show to be made. Also totally relate to you being tired of writing words. I am getting that way myself and not even doing anything too creative, I would rather do anything but deal with damn words but then I already took the crappy job to pay bills route earlier in life and am so not willing to go back to that without a fight. Keep trying man, be awesome to see some of your stuff on the TV one day.