The Biggest Decision of my Life (so far)

…will be College.

The thought of college (as a high school senior) is one of immense weight and pressure. The source of the pressure is hardly whether or not to attend college, as I fully expect to, but rather where to attend college. 

I have formed two options: 
Option 1 is Indiana Wesleyan University: with its campus close, but not too close to home; one I am very familiar with from my art camp experiences there; with amazing art+design division staff. I would be studying Studio Arts and Human Communications.
Option 2 is Western Michigan University: an out-of-state, large campus with countless opportunities, and a gorgeous city with a new environment to explore and thrive in. I have an idea for a podcast that would be incredible if I were to attend WMU, and the surroundings would surely spark countless more ideas. I would be studying Paper Engineering. 

This blog post is not intended to convince myself through emotion why I should attend IWU, but to add a level of logic and clarity that emotion prevents. 
Indiana Wesleyan is a Christian school, so I would be able to grow my faith and thrive in a Christ-centered environment.
Western Michigan is a secular school, so it would be easy to fall into the traps and temptations inevitably surrounding me. 
Indiana Wesleyan is a small school, with about 2,200 undergrads enrolled. 
Western Michigan is a big school, with about 14,400 undergrads enrolled. 
Both IWU and WMU do not allow tortoises without ESA approval. Which I do not apply for. 

While there are obviously factors, my predicament stems not from which campus is better, or which has more preferable people; those things are easily subjective and bound to change based on circumstance. Rather, it stems from the fundamental question of: Can I make a living with art?  

I understand that less than 30% of college graduates end up working in the field of their degree. I would probably be in the 70% percent who don't if I earned a degree in engineering. I would likely pursue art anyways. The difference being, I would not have had four years to explore and expand my craft in a safe environment such as university. And I would have a backup degree in engineering.

But back to the question:

Can I make a living with Art?

We all have one life to live. And for some reason, senior year has me expecting I can plan mine all out before I even hit eighteen. 

A YouTuber by the name of TangoTek's take on the purpose of life is, "Do everything you can to be happy with the time you have." (All I need to add on is "Love the lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself." and it's exactly as I would have it.)

There's no telling what will happen in the coming years. While it is far from ideal, there's a possibility I don't live past college. What would my investment in a future have been worth then? if I didn't enjoy the years leading up to a future that never came? 

While there are plenty of comfortable artists out there, it is well-known as an instable career. For a person like myself who is immensely habitual, and yet enjoys spontaneity to its fullest, the idea is beyond attractive. 

Because of my entrepreneurial experience and creativity, I'm quite sure I would be able to make things work as an artist. And I'd enjoy the ride the whole way. Not the ride to finish a lucrative degree in engineering so I can live a comfortable life. Instead, the bumpy and unsure, but passionate and adventurous, life of an artist.

Things I have truly enjoyed in my life are both service activities (being a part of Key Club, etc.), and creating things. Being "smart", being "competitive", and being "employable" have all meant less to me than serving others and creating new connections, new ideas, and new things out of cardboard. 

So if I am choosing based on what I really love: I choose art and communications. 

If I pursue them at a university level, perhaps I will gain what I am currently lacking to make art a successful career. (And yes, I know success is also subjective). With the gained knowledge, I can at least know where to look for any next steps. 

But first I need to take the next step that’s right in front of me. Is it the right step to study art? The right step to study engineering? I feel more inclined to one than the other… is inclination the most important? or is financial comfort?
I know I would be able to enjoy every day as an artist, so if it falls to a question of passion or stability…

I choose passion.