I Can’t Believe I’m Doing This

Class is now in session.

No, for real, I have officially started my PhD Program (insert imaginary crowd applause here). Here’s a photo I posted on my personal Facebook page from my first day of school!

I don’t think I’ve felt this many butterflies before. On one hand, I’m the most prepared I’ve ever been. On the other hand, it’s embarking on the final chapter of an academic journey that I never imagined.

You see, I never wanted to go to college…
My school counselor asked me if I planned to go anywhere in my junior year of high school because I had not applied to any school yet. Part of me was still upset that my parents ripped me out of high school to move from the beautiful Bay Area of California to the dusty corn fields of Illinois – can you imagine?

That derailed my plans to attend any sort of UC (University of California).

I planned to be a hairstylist and a music producer – I didn’t need a 4-year degree for either one of those professions. After talking to my Dad, he convinced me that my degree would be a backup plan. I planned to enter college as “undecided,” and he suggested I major in business because “You can do anything with a business degree.”

And now, almost two decades later…I’m back in school!

I share my scholastic journey in hopes of reminding you that it’s okay to flip the script. The very thing that you don’t think is for you could actually be the opportunities that you grow into. You already have everything you need to be great in this life. Be open to the audibles that God pulls on you. You never know where you’ll end up.

I am excited to take you along on this road to becoming Dr. Darby (well, Dr. Darby #2 because my sister already snagged that title!). Keep me in your prayers!