Why do people always feel the need to ask students this, as if we have a plan and know what the future holds for us? I want to be happy, do some travelling when I have the money, then save for a wedding, a marriage, a family, live happily ever after with children and then grandchildren, all while holding down a secure job. For some reason this is not the desired answer. But I think this answer is so simple to the complicated, hated question, ‘what do you want to do?’

I know it is not easy to achieve these outcomes and there are so many barriers in the way. I know so many people who have graduated from university with brilliant grades yet are now working in dead-end jobs because they do not have the experience to work where their goal is, and of course due to cuts there just aren’t many jobs out there at the moment, people are gripping onto them by the skin of their teeth and rarely letting any new blood in. 

So actually, yes I kind of know where I would like to go but whether the door will be open when I reach that point is a completely different story. I have never been interested in being a housewife. I love cooking and cleaning and the concept of family, but I was brought up by two parents who both worked. I have a lot of respect for my parents for working hard and I had no problem with being child-minded and being in day nursery and then school with after-school clubs, it made me more independent and I could learn social skills with children my own age as well as learning numbers and writing etc from a very young age. For this reason, I would always want to work regardless of my situation.  I feel like I would go mad staying at home all day, I need to get out and make myself useful even if I’m not being paid for it! 

Therefore, staying at home is not an option so this question cannot be dodged. What do I really want to do with my life? I want to make a difference out there, both through my writing and my practical support-work. I hope there will always be space out in that world to support others and I am sure there will be, but we are not always in control of our lives. Christians believe that God is in control and he knows what will happen. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). There is the popular saying, if you want to make God laugh then tell him your plans. He can see our future but we have no crystal ball.

It is all about trusting your instincts. I feel I have been called to be a social worker and also have the skill of writing, there are particular areas where my interests lie and these could be interpreted as spiritual gifts. But what do I want to do? Get through today, do tomorrow, follow the calendar, complete my course, try to earn and start some savings, live my life and see what signs place themselves before me.