Is it a good thing or a fault to try too hard?

I am switching my student psychologist tomorrow afternoon. My current psychologist is finishing his practicum.

I would like to know what to do to prepare? Or if I should or let it be natural?

I think that it’s a mistake to kick back and take it easy. Just shift gears and keep working.
You gave it a go in college to reach your dream. You came up short.
Now look at what other options you have. Select something that is right for you. Perhaps something like counseling. Then and work hard to achieve that goal.

When I went to college my goal was to become a veterinarian. I didn’t get the grades (like nearly straight A’s) but had a BA In Zoology. I realized that I only needed a few more classes to become a Medical Technologist to work in hospital laboratories. That was a good match for me which I did for 38 years.

Good luck!

@gondwanalon I will search my online career guide to see what I am qualified or nearly qualified for.

Update I am qualified to be a volunteer part time, or casual, library clerk. I live a half block from a library. I will research, and get back to Fluther.

We recently had a question regarding ‘dreamers’, and how important it is to support and protect them. The world need them.

On the other side is reality, what is feasible. At your age with your history, it may not be possible to be a licensed psychologist . But you can be an educated counselor for teens or adults in crisis, etc.. Being in service to others is a high calling you shouldn’t ignore but it can take various forms. Maybe something as simple as picking up trash for a few hours a day, volunteering at a shelter or food pantry, walking dogs at a local shelter, etc…
Sitting at home grazing all day sounds boring and I’m not sure the isolation would be helpful to you or anyone else.
I wish you the best, you have such a good heart.

Context matters.

It is a good thing for an EMT to work his ass off to revive and save an injured person.

It is not a good thing to be the best horse thief alive.

There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself to pursue something meaningful in your life. Challenging yourself brings growth, change, purpose and pride.

I do not think one can “try to hard”. Do your best and reflect on the values it brings to your life. You will know when too much is too much.

You have to decide for yourself what you want out of life. That is not for us to decide. If you are content laying back that is fine. If you have some other goal then you will need to work out a plan to achieve it. How long would it take you to get a degree taking one course at a time? Is that acceptable? The more you put off making a decision, the longer it is going to take.

As worded, this is an unclear question. Consider:

“Is it a good thing or a fault to try too hard?”
– First, by definition of the words you chose, the word “too” says that it is too much, and therefore a fault. I suppose it could also possibly be ultimately good, anyway.
– As a prospective psychologist, I would encourage you to reflect upon your feelings and thoughts that induced you to word this question in this way.

“Should I keep fighting to be a psychologist, or should I enjoy life, and play it by ear?”
– This is not an example of trying too hard (unless you say it is). It is an example of trying something hard, and of choices.
– Understand what a choice is. You get to choose. It’s up to you. If you try to use reasoning, or other people’s opinions, to avoid making the choice yourself, then that’s doing something other than choosing.

“I would like to enjoy life. Napping at will and grazing healthy snacks all day.”
– Sounds comfortable and low-stress.
– People can and should sometimes take breaks, and moderate how much work they do.
– Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing choice.
– Balance tends to work best. Doing anything all the time, tends not to work. Even napping and snacking. Even being productive. Even doing what you love most in life (for those who are satisfied that they know what that is, and who have the opportunity to do it all their lives).

@Zaku Thanks for the well written, and well thought out answer. I believe that I just wrote my question to get emotional support as deep down I have my answers.

I will do my free online French lessons though Duolingo. Then save money, and pay off my debts. Then play it by ear.

I will discuss with my psychologist tomorrow at 4pm. Thanks @all.

In life.
There are sailors.
There are paddlers.

@MrGrimm888 What does that mean? I can think of opposite perceptions for that “saying”.

It depends. Really.

Well.
My interpretation?
It’s a view of how people can approach their life.

Sailors go, as the wind.
They understand, or submit to the “will” of things. They do not fight the tides, or the wind. They are better equipped both physically and mentally to “go with the flow” of things. Rather than chart their own course, they will be rewarded by accepting a sort of destiny. If they go with the flow, life can be easier. Faster to travel with the aid of fate, to a preordained place. Drawbacks include being stalled at times when the wind (fate) slows down, making direction unclear. It also means that a sailor has less/little control over their life. But. They’re ultimately ok with that. As most of the time, they are speeding along with the sea’s blessing. They have a high success rate at arriving at “their” destination.
Sailors are more easily satisfied with their lives.
Not a bad way to go.

Paddlers go as they dare. With greater risk, and difficulty.
They aren’t accepting of the way of things. They are more stubborn, and relentless. They have to move more slowly, and often fight the direction they are being pulled. Unlike the the sailor, they do not view themselves as a “slave to the winds.” They are powered by sheer will, and determination. As long as they can paddle, they will go somewhere. So they are rarely stagnant. They don’t/can’t stop paddling.
Drawbacks include failing more often than sailors, at reaching as nice of a destination. Their course requires great physical and mental strength and endurance. Sailors may lose the wind for a moment. But it will eventually fill their sails again.
If a paddler cannot paddle, they are truly lost without method of propulsion.
More paddlers fail than sailors, but when a paddler succeeds, they have beaten greater odds to get to a place THEY desire, not a place that they were fated to be. Unlike sailors, they are not so easily satisfied with their lives. But. At least they chose their own way.
Also. Not a bad way to go.

Many say, that they are both. However. They are at least 50.1%-49.9% of one or the other.

There is no “wrong” type.
Both types will have rewards, and setbacks.
Both will one day be forever lost to the seas, and endless oceans.

There are many ways one can think of to interpret the “saying.”

It’s clearly philosophical…

So, essentially, your post has no meaning, it’s just a little aphorism that says “it’s this or it’s that” with no guidance.

^If that’s all you can glean from it. Thats on you.

I am not offering guidance in the way of suggesting an action.
I am offering that careful consideration of one’s character, is important in deciding what action is “too much.”

Thanks @MrGrimm888 I find great meaning and self-guidance in this.
I have a hat that has the expression “Row the Boat”.
It focuses on what you can control — the energy you bring to your life (“the oar”), the sacrifices you are willing to make within yourself (“the boat)”, and the direction of your life (“the compass”).
In rowing a boat, you typically have your back to where you are headed, yet you can see where you have been. You still control the direction of your life no matter where you have been.

^Can I get an “amen?”
Preach on!

@Forever_Free I’ve never rowed a boat that way. I quite like paddling canoes, though.

^I own an OldTown Sarnac 146. I’ve had it for years, and I’ve been a lot of places with it. It’s got most of It’s hours on the Cooper, Ashley, and Stono Rivers. But I’ve paddled many kayaks and canoes, in other places, including places throughout the Florida Keys.
I was a certified paddle vessel salesman for many years. I was offered a tour guide job at a gorgeous place on the Edisto River. It was too rural though.

I’m definitely a “paddler.” Right now is fishing season.

In life.
There are anglers...
There are spearmen...
(I just made that up. :).......

^Correction. “Sar*a*nac.”...

@MrGrimm888 also ^^^ There are waders.
I’m a fly fisherman and have been out several times on the Hoosic and Batten Kill already

^Sweet. I always wanted to try fly fishing. We have people who do it here wading in the marsh while flying for Reds.
I’ve definitely fished while standing in the water. But. It’s not a wise activity here. Alligators are EVERYWHERE. They’ll follow a lure, or caught fish right to you. In salt water, the damn crabs won’t leave my feet alone. They’re assholes.

Nothing bothers me in fast moving fresh water rivers. But. There’s plenty of dangerous company.

Do you have to worry about bears?

^^ In New England while there are Black Bears, there is not much worry as they are rather skittish.
I did happen upon a momma and two cubs while hiking a week ago and made sure I didn’t get too close to the playful cubs.
During May and June you can see bear near the rivers in Vermont. I always carry spray.
I grew up as a baitcasting fisher in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Once I moved over to fly fishing I don’t do much baitcasting nor have that feeling of “I have to catch something”. So much more peaceful just throwing line while in a river..

Yeah. I don’t like to use live bait. So. I rarely catch anything. Too bad I don’t get points for the fish that hit my canoe. I swear they’re messing with me.

I guess I’m not “trying too hard.”..

I do try hard to pick up trash, and pollution where I see it. I can get to most stuff that a prop vessel can’t.
I also do some scavenging on boat/ship wrecks in the marsh…