In previous blog posts, I’ve covered the fact that I had it pretty easy when it came to choosing a career and, therefore, avoided the hateful quarter-life crisis. But recently, I’ve come to realize the true value of that luck. Two people in my life are currently wrestling with the seemingly simple (but often excruciatingly difficult) question, “How do I figure out what career I want?”

My boyfriend breezed through high school but didn’t happen upon any particular area or subject that grabbed his interest along the way. He didn’t have the slightest idea of what to pursue in terms of post-secondary education or a long-term career, so he opted to skip them altogether and dabble in a variety of jobs. Although he’s excelled at them, being good at a job doesn’t always translate into being happy doing it. This has made him decide not to spend the rest of his life working at a job that holds no meaning for him. He's ready to get a post-secondary education and prepare for a career he can love (and I’m willing to bet it will be one that allows him to utilize his incredible talent and creativity—from writing to drawing to creating music, the guy never ceases to amaze me).

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Are you feeling like your best (and most productive) years are behind you—but are still craving the chance to go back to school for a fresh start, or to take care of unfinished business? Well, rest easy that you’re not alone. These nagging thoughts are common. But, the truth is many individuals are not jumping into college right out of high school, and even if they are, many come back in later years to complete their post-secondary education, or gain further skills and credentials.

This dilemma is close to my own heart. I followed the typical path out of high school: moving right on to college. However, thanks to all of life’s little twists and turns, I’ve never completed my degree, and am haunted by the fact that I didn’t. I want to show myself that I can do it, and I feel strongly that accomplishing my goal will help my children to understand that with hard work and dedication, they can achieve their own goals.

It’s that time of year again. The time when I start making lists of all the things I will and won’t do this coming year. Here are a couple of my typical goals:

I will lose ten pounds (because I ate too many Christmas goodies).

I will save more money (because I spent too much money on Christmas presents).

I think you can see where this is going.

Okay, so some of my not-so-unique resolutions may or may not happen, but the concept of a new year, where we can all start fresh is invigorating—like a field of untouched snow. It’s our chance to write exactly what we want on a blank slate.

This can be an ideal time to get proactive about the future, especially by tackling bigger goals—such as going back to school—which can be a struggle to get off the ground. This type of resolution can seem insurmountable, but with the push of a new year behind you, the momentum can help put your goals within reach.

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I Google everything. From recipes to directions to people I’ve just met. And, I know I’m not alone. With “Googling” reaching official verb status, you can bet that schools have gotten in on the action to help screen potential students.

Perhaps your goofy Halloween pictures aren’t enough to get you tossed in the rejection pile, but what about underage drinking, or other “I really hope Mom doesn’t find out about this” behavior? Have you ever considered what someone might find when they search for you online? Well, if you haven’t and you’re considering applying to any colleges, universities, or trade schools, you may want to check into it.

Many school admissions departments are now employing Google to research applicants. This can often turn up inappropriate images, controversial blog posts, plagiarized work, and more. However, in addition to the negative information, a quick search can also uncover or confirm positive points, such as mentions in the local paper for community work or achievements.

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My typical day starts at 3:30 pm. To clarify, that is not when I wake up, nor is it when I first leave the house. I don’t stay up till four in the morning, and my employment doesn’t involve shift work.

My day starts at 3:30 in the afternoon because that’s when I get home from my full-time job, sit down at my desk, and try to squeeze a few more hours of productivity from my brain to meet the demands of my distance learning courses. Like most students, I have regular battles with the motivation monster. Thankfully, I’ve found a few ways to fight back.

1. A simple chore + a simple snack = a gateway to better focus

Sitting down at my desk is easy; staying there is another challenge entirely. As soon as I crack open my textbook, my mind starts to wander to the dishes in the sink or the laundry that needs folding or the biggie: what should I make for dinner?

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It consumed my thoughts more than the leggy redheaded cheerleader with the permanent smile. It caused me far more worry than the steroidal thugs on the hunt for fresh victims. It slowly devoured my insides. It was my biggest nemesis: where to find money for college.

I obsessed over how to pay for my higher education. My family could not afford it. And I wanted so badly to avoid taking on student loans, knowing as I did how difficult it might be to repay them. I was determined to find a better way.

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What you need for college—if you are anything like I was after high school—is a good slap to the head before you start making a checklist of items to take along.

Imagine: You are about to jump out of an airplane for the first time—solo. You check to make sure you’ve made all of the necessary preparations according to your list.

Colorful jumpsuit with matching helmet? Check. An iPod nano with your favorite fist-pumping tunes? Check. Video camera to record all the fun? Check. Pictures of family and friends to kiss before making the leap? Check. A tasty snack for when you land? Check.

What could go wrong? It’s not like you missed anything important.

With my blood boiling, I ask myself, “Don’t they know how brilliant I am? Have they no clue how hard I worked?” The monster inside me awakens, eager to defend the fortress. Criticism prompts my threat level to go from GREEN to RED in just .666 of a second. One too many critical remarks and it gets bumped all the way to FIRE AND BRIMSTONE.

Such is my initial reaction to negative feedback. My monster—my ego—is quick to throw up defenses as it prepares counterattacks against my critic beyond the gates.

As a creative professional and someone with artistic hobbies, this is a situation I encounter frequently. But I also experienced it often as a student—before, during, and after college. Life, in general, is packed with these monstrous moments. It never seems to get any easier.

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Working from home. For many it’s the ultimate dream. No commutes, no dress code, no cubicle, no coworkers with whistling, toe-tapping, or pen chewing quirks to drive you mad. The list of pros is long and well-established, and as someone who has been working from home for over a year now, I can tell you personally that it’s pretty freakin’ awesome!

However, I think that all of these exciting pros can sometimes distract people from considering a few of the realities that also come along with the benefits. I won’t say they are cons, per se, but they are factors that require some consideration.

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What do ancient amphibian gods from outer space have to do with your ability to get answers? Everything. “Help me find a career!” is a common plea, made more and more urgent the longer it is repeated. When you’re stuck on challenging questions—like “what should I go to school for?” or “which career is right for me?”—the best approach is sometimes to plunge into the scary and quirky depths and view things from a more outlandish perspective.

I recently read about the Dogon tribe in northwestern Africa. The Dogon worship the Nommo, ancestral spirits and teachers from the stars that have both human- and fish-like characteristics. They are known as “Masters of the Water.”

This got me thinking, which is always dangerous. What if humans are actually the descendants of these amphibian gods? What if we are all really mermaids and mermen, if only in spirit?

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