<p>I don’t know why I am posting this thread here and it’s a little embarrassing and I know I won’t get a satisfactory answer, but since this is basically unanymous and any extra input can’t hurt, I’ll do it anyway. I am a nineteen year-old college freshman, and for some strange reason I have thought about becoming a priest over the last couple weeks. The priesthood is not a job a person chooses. It is a call to live a life of service that is usually taken reluctantly. I don’t know why I think I might have this calling, and I wish I was not thinking these thoughts. I would rather be working to make happen all the things I have always wanted. I want to be solely focused on maintaining a GPA close to 4.0, prepping for the LSAT so I can score high enough to go to one of the nation’s top law schools, and reading and learning. Since we are so young, we are supposed to feel energized and full of potential. Instead, I feel depleted and all of dreams seem either trivial or impossible. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself to get the highest grades, read the most books, and know the most things, but now in first year of college, I feel overwhelmed at times by my ambitions. I will most likely still have a GPA around 3.85 after this year, but I am not learning, studying, or achieving as much as a need to. Mediocrity and averageness does not suffice for me. So I wonder, at this time in my life, why the priesthood is in my thoughts and why I would rather stare a crucifix than stare at a periodic table. My initial dreams are very possible, but I feel enervated right now and not wanting to work hard enough for them. Is thinking about the priesthood an excuse to not do what I must to go to an elite law school, or is the fact that I am uncontrollably considering it a calling to become be a priest? Why else would I be thinking about it? Am I just crazy?</p>
<p>And just so you know, it takes another four years of study after an undergraduate education to be ordained a priest. I am not trying to make anybody uncomfortable, but I just have a career decision to make that I need some advice for.</p>
<p>I think you should keep your eyes focused on graduating first. Then IF you still wish to be a priest after that, then follow that path.</p>
<p>It’s an excuse to not face the difficulty ahead of you.</p>
<p>It’s like the same as wanting to go travel before college or career, for some people army, there a lot of things people can use to postpone college and the effort it takes. The thought of college, and graduate school like law school, for many is intimidating.
It’s normal to have thoughts of wanting to escape rather than go after a dream that’s hard work lol…I’m in college and I think becoming a nun has also come to my mind on occasion, or I simply dream somebody come drag me by the hand out of my lecture hall one day…the escape fantasy.</p>
<p>These feelings are heightened at this age and it does not reflect your logical plans for the future obviously.</p>
<p>I think you are frightened about being rejected from a top law school and having your dream crushed, so you are seeking something that appears safe.
You should not give up law school like this. Even if you fear it, you need to face this fear and give it your best! You will be so much more satisfied with yourself if you do that, each day working hard for your goal.</p>
<p>Remember that getting into law school is not impossible either, in fact it is quite possible and for you too! So don’t make a mountain of a molehill either. :)</p>
<p>I don’t agree that this is a way to ignore/avert the difficulty ahead. Priesthood is not normally an escape route for students. And like you said, it is a tough road of additional schooling, dedication, devotion, and the risk of not finding a position after all of that hard work for many years.</p>
<p>What are some of your deeper feelings? You didn’t mention whether you consider yourself to be very religious, or do you feel a desire to help people and serve a higher power/greater good?</p>
<p>It sounds to me that you are uninspired by your current goals and not being challenged enough in ways that you need to be. It may become monotony, stunting your ability to focus and learn, which may be why you’re turning toward something like Priesthood/religion to fill some void or find some answers. </p>
<p>As for feeling overwhelmed by your goals, you can’t just look at the big picture. You need to break it down into smaller goals, or steps that will take you there. Right now you need to learn and get good grades. Worry about the LSATs when it is time. Don’t worry about applications to law schools until it is time. Spend your journey learning as much as you can about yourself, your capabilities and interests, and see how you feel in another year or two.</p>
<p>I would think of the priesthood as an alternate plan- i.e., something to think more about after graduation. It’s something you can just jump into- what if you regret it later on? If, after graduating, it’s still something you want to do, I would put it off again and spend a year or two working as a missionary through your religions mission programs(or you can do it with another faith, most of them aren’t exclusive). If you still feel called to do it after giving up everything to serve the poorest of the poor, then it’s likely that that is what you’re meant to do. </p>
<p>But really, don’t give up on college right now. Law school may not be for you after all, but whatever path you choose, your GPA is still fairly important.</p>
<p>Are you wanting the Preisthood because you are actually religious and want to devote your life to God or because you can’t see a future for yourself?</p>
<p>If the answer is both, become a Priest</p>