While trying to decide what kind of thinker I am, I did what members of my generation do best; I consulted Google. According to psychologytoday.com, I am a divergent thinker, a person who doesn’t choose between limited possibilities, but “look[s] for options that aren’t necessarily apparent at first” (Bernhard, 2013). I have too many jobs, too many hobbies, and too many organizations demanding my time, but I’m always looking for new ways to engage. I love what I do and have taken many opportunities that could’ve passed me by if I hadn’t been looking for them. Contributing to my divergent thinking style and eventual decision to attend college were a few people that I encountered during my earlier life.
One such person is June, my older sibling. I don’t find myself to be competitive by nature, but sibling rivalry is a different matter entirely. During my time in high school, my older sibling completed two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s. While interviewing my classmate Mary, I discovered that members of her immediate family also encouraged her to attend college, just in a less adversarial way. June is now a lawyer. How do you rival a doctorate in jurisprudence? With a doctorate in medicine of course.
I latched on to the idea of medicine during my last couple years of high school, while doing something commonly known as “couch surfing”. Two of my gracious hosts encouraged me to consider a trade school at a local community college. At the time, I didn’t feel focused or driven enough to succeed in a 4 year college environment, nor did I have the money. I completed a year of classes and joined the workforce. It was a stressful job, but I loved the tactile learning environment and the on-the-job training which kept me interested and motivated.
Wanting to continue with my education, I lived at work and saved for college. I’ve considered staying at my current job but looking at my middle-aged coworkers with back injuries and serious mental health issues, I decided to continue my studies. My job in Texas has amazing continuing education and in person hands-on trainings are my favorite way to learn. There is also an unimaginable amount of scientific nonfiction within reach thanks to my old friend Google. As I spoke to Mary about this, we discussed her contrasting interest in mostly romantic fiction books and how our preferred book styles related to our individual ways of thinking.
A convergent brain would say go to college straight after high school, or not at all. It’s been 5 years since I was in high school, but I’m now pursuing a bachelor’s degree and the prerequisites for medical school. For that, I’d like to thank the siblings and mentors who gave me the encouragement that I needed along the way.
Citations:
Bernhard, T (2013). What Type of Thinker Are You. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/turning-straw-gold/201302/what-type-thinker-are-you