Opening Yourself Up
to Learning
Any job that doesn’t give me continuing education isn’t one that I want to be a part of. We all should learn and grow with each other...and cannot keep stereotyping millennials the way we have.
  | Hello all! My name is Heather Ludlum. I hold many titles—daughter, sister, girlfriend, student, teacher—just to name a few. I am a white, 26-year-old, cisgender, heterosexual female. I attended Emporia State University for four years studying vocal music until the realities of life hit HARD! I then took a two-year break from on-campus life to work and travel for Applebee’s as a corporate trainer. So I wouldn’t have to pay off loans, I took only online classes. Four years after taking a break from school, I am now on my second year as a student at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk)! I work three jobs while going to school full-time; I am an after-school program leader, a teacher in a toddler classroom, and a worker at a tiny grocery store on campus. |
What the hell are my hopes and dreams?
I’ve spent the last eight years trying to discover myself. I felt like I knew who I was throughout K-12, but once I got out of small town, western Kansas, I was lost. Many questions floated around my mind: Who am I? How do I survive in a town where I only know one other person? Can I survive off financial aid solely? I am sure most of you have thought about these questions as well. Even to this day, I question every single decision I make whether that is something as small as what to have for dinner or something as major as breaking up with someone. The number one lesson I have learned in life? Gut feelings are real. Go with your gut.
I’ve spent the last eight years trying to discover myself. I felt like I knew who I was throughout K-12, but once I got out of small town, western Kansas, I was lost. Many questions floated around my mind: Who am I? How do I survive in a town where I only know one other person? Can I survive off financial aid solely? I am sure most of you have thought about these questions as well. Even to this day, I question every single decision I make whether that is something as small as what to have for dinner or something as major as breaking up with someone. The number one lesson I have learned in life? Gut feelings are real. Go with your gut.
Life throws you curve balls.
Three days before turning 21, I made a decision that affects every aspect of my life, even five years later. I will not go into details on that decision since it is extremely personal, but that day is significant for many reasons, and that decision will forever weigh on me. The day was December 15, 2011, and it changed me— for better or worse, I am not sure. I went from being a shy girl who hardly ever spoke up or had conversations with people, and I turned into a woman with opinions and stories that I wanted to share. I pushed my friends away for fear of bringing up the hurtful past. I finished as much school as I possibly could, until finally, I hit rock bottom. I flunked every single class including choir. How does a person get an F in choir? –you may ask. When nothing brings you joy, you choose to sit alone in your home. The only thing I did was go to work because I had to make money. I lived in my bedroom that year. I only came out when I needed the bathroom or had to leave for work. I tell you this story because this is how my future began.
Three days before turning 21, I made a decision that affects every aspect of my life, even five years later. I will not go into details on that decision since it is extremely personal, but that day is significant for many reasons, and that decision will forever weigh on me. The day was December 15, 2011, and it changed me— for better or worse, I am not sure. I went from being a shy girl who hardly ever spoke up or had conversations with people, and I turned into a woman with opinions and stories that I wanted to share. I pushed my friends away for fear of bringing up the hurtful past. I finished as much school as I possibly could, until finally, I hit rock bottom. I flunked every single class including choir. How does a person get an F in choir? –you may ask. When nothing brings you joy, you choose to sit alone in your home. The only thing I did was go to work because I had to make money. I lived in my bedroom that year. I only came out when I needed the bathroom or had to leave for work. I tell you this story because this is how my future began.
When I finally decided enough was enough…
…I worked and worked, and then worked some more. I filled my time with work. Then, I got asked to be a traveling trainer for our franchise of Applebee’s. I jumped at this chance. I had traveled throughout my last two years of college and that took the pain away, so of course I wanted to travel again to just get away from all the pain. I traveled for the next year and a half until my manager wouldn’t allow me to do so anymore due to a shortage of bartenders at my home store. I stuck it out in that hell hole for far too long until my boyfriend and I finally decided it was time to move on from Applebee’s and Emporia. I applied to the University of Kansas in spring of 2015. When I was accepted, it was like a huge relief rushed over me. I was finally going to leave the town that had caused me so much heartbreak over the six years I was there. I moved, alone, in July of 2015, and my boyfriend joined me in late August.
…I worked and worked, and then worked some more. I filled my time with work. Then, I got asked to be a traveling trainer for our franchise of Applebee’s. I jumped at this chance. I had traveled throughout my last two years of college and that took the pain away, so of course I wanted to travel again to just get away from all the pain. I traveled for the next year and a half until my manager wouldn’t allow me to do so anymore due to a shortage of bartenders at my home store. I stuck it out in that hell hole for far too long until my boyfriend and I finally decided it was time to move on from Applebee’s and Emporia. I applied to the University of Kansas in spring of 2015. When I was accepted, it was like a huge relief rushed over me. I was finally going to leave the town that had caused me so much heartbreak over the six years I was there. I moved, alone, in July of 2015, and my boyfriend joined me in late August.
My real passion is helping young children and toddlers.
I work for my money and do not expect others to just give me things. My parents taught me that if I want something, I should dive in and go for it. I do not whine when things don’t go my way. Yes, I pout a bit, but then I move on. My job at the grocery store does not bring me passion. I work with young children, as young as one-year-old. This work fuels me. We have some rough days together, but those good ones outweigh the bad every time. I am fueled when I help teach young children to do the simplest of tasks—walk to the “potty”, get 100% on their spelling test, eat with a spoon—you name it, I absolutely love it. When I come home with a smile on my face because a kid did something I helped them with or taught them, it is seriously the best feeling on earth.
I work for my money and do not expect others to just give me things. My parents taught me that if I want something, I should dive in and go for it. I do not whine when things don’t go my way. Yes, I pout a bit, but then I move on. My job at the grocery store does not bring me passion. I work with young children, as young as one-year-old. This work fuels me. We have some rough days together, but those good ones outweigh the bad every time. I am fueled when I help teach young children to do the simplest of tasks—walk to the “potty”, get 100% on their spelling test, eat with a spoon—you name it, I absolutely love it. When I come home with a smile on my face because a kid did something I helped them with or taught them, it is seriously the best feeling on earth.
I want to use what I have gone through to help others.
I believe that I was put on this earth to teach. I don’t mean this in a classroom setting sense. There are so many possibilities for jobs because I have opened myself up to LEARNING. Any job that doesn’t give me continuing education isn’t one that I want to be a part of. We all should learn and grow with each other. That brings me to my next point—millennial stereotyping.
I believe that I was put on this earth to teach. I don’t mean this in a classroom setting sense. There are so many possibilities for jobs because I have opened myself up to LEARNING. Any job that doesn’t give me continuing education isn’t one that I want to be a part of. We all should learn and grow with each other. That brings me to my next point—millennial stereotyping.
I do consider myself a millennial, though I absolutely hate the stereotyping of it.
Here is first reason why I hate the stereotyping: I did not choose to be born when I was. Millennials are considered entitled, tech-savvy, non-religious, non-direct communicators, and financially irresponsible (Life Scribbler). I agree to disagree on a few of these points. To an outsider or the older generations, I can see why they think these things. We were brought up in a time when, as cliché as it is, participation medals became a thing. THAT WAS NOT OUR CHOICE! When I was little, however, I do not recall ever receiving one. That must have started after 2000. However, I am fairly certain those started because the parents were frustrated that their child didn't receive anything. If you teach a child to earn something by doing well, then they will only expect something when it is EARNED! Ok, getting off my high horse now :)
Here is first reason why I hate the stereotyping: I did not choose to be born when I was. Millennials are considered entitled, tech-savvy, non-religious, non-direct communicators, and financially irresponsible (Life Scribbler). I agree to disagree on a few of these points. To an outsider or the older generations, I can see why they think these things. We were brought up in a time when, as cliché as it is, participation medals became a thing. THAT WAS NOT OUR CHOICE! When I was little, however, I do not recall ever receiving one. That must have started after 2000. However, I am fairly certain those started because the parents were frustrated that their child didn't receive anything. If you teach a child to earn something by doing well, then they will only expect something when it is EARNED! Ok, getting off my high horse now :)
When it’s okay to short-hand it and when it’s time to write professionally.
I will agree that we are tech savvy. This is because we are growing up in a day and age where technology is booming. Once again, not our fault. Plus, is this really a bad thing unless you’re hacking things? This tech savvy title we are given ties into the non-direct communicators point mentioned above. I spent most of my childhood chatting on MSN Messenger. Did I short-hand it? Of course! But, I know how to switch it off and on.
I will agree that we are tech savvy. This is because we are growing up in a day and age where technology is booming. Once again, not our fault. Plus, is this really a bad thing unless you’re hacking things? This tech savvy title we are given ties into the non-direct communicators point mentioned above. I spent most of my childhood chatting on MSN Messenger. Did I short-hand it? Of course! But, I know how to switch it off and on.
But that doesn’t make us any less religious.
For the non-religious point, I do believe less of us go to church than generations before us, but I choose to practice Christianity in the privacy of my own home. There are numerous churches that play their videos of services online. I still discuss religion with friends. Do I wish I went to church more? Yes, but I cannot afford to take Sundays off.
For the non-religious point, I do believe less of us go to church than generations before us, but I choose to practice Christianity in the privacy of my own home. There are numerous churches that play their videos of services online. I still discuss religion with friends. Do I wish I went to church more? Yes, but I cannot afford to take Sundays off.
You don’t NEED everything, you just WANT it.
Am I financially irresponsible because I’m just now learning this? Yes, I will be the first to admit that I am HORRIBLE with money. But I don’t buy into the idea that I am financially irresponsible because I consider myself a millennial. I am irresponsible because it is easy as hell to go online and apply for more money when you need it. When I run out, I apply for loan after loan until I am granted one. This is something I would tell anyone else not to do.
Am I financially irresponsible because I’m just now learning this? Yes, I will be the first to admit that I am HORRIBLE with money. But I don’t buy into the idea that I am financially irresponsible because I consider myself a millennial. I am irresponsible because it is easy as hell to go online and apply for more money when you need it. When I run out, I apply for loan after loan until I am granted one. This is something I would tell anyone else not to do.
Every generation has its fallbacks.
The last thing I want to say is that our generation is having to deal with global warming, lack of natural resources, and numerous other problems that are becoming more and more critical every day because of what previous generations have done or not done. We also cannot keep stereotyping millennials the way we have. The way we act depends on where we came from. Our faults are not always due to our parents. Being a millennial does not make me a privileged, looked down upon human being. Millennials are tackling some of the scariest problems right now. Give us a break.
The last thing I want to say is that our generation is having to deal with global warming, lack of natural resources, and numerous other problems that are becoming more and more critical every day because of what previous generations have done or not done. We also cannot keep stereotyping millennials the way we have. The way we act depends on where we came from. Our faults are not always due to our parents. Being a millennial does not make me a privileged, looked down upon human being. Millennials are tackling some of the scariest problems right now. Give us a break.
Think you have a story to tell about being a millennial? Comment below or message me today at eden.tullis@gmail.com!
