I'm trapped in a maze,

Forced to choose a life path

That leads to my goal of self-fufillment.

My father's footsteps

Are impressed into the engineering path,

Advocating a future as an erudite engineer.

My mother's voice

Suggests the medical school path,

Leading towards a career as a distinguished doctor.

I picture my grandparents

Traveling down the law school path decades ago;

They told me they would be so proud

If I, too, went down that path

To become an illustrious lawyer.

Which path should I choose?

Tick, tock.

A clock constantly counts down

Time I have left to decide.

Every second,

It announces I am growing

Farther and farther from childhood,

Nearer and nearer to adulthood.

Tick, tock.

When I was little,

I was convinced

My destined journey

Was to become a princess;

Becoming the President

Was my back-up plan.

But now I have no choice

But to face reality.

Realistically determine

What makes me special.

What my identity truly is.

Tick, tock.

Infinite impossible decisions:

Big college, small college?

In-state school, out-of-state school?

Public university, private university?

Tick, tock.

Unceasing upcoming hurdles:

Make friends in sea of unfamiliar faces,

Keep up with burdensome course load,

Adjust to new schedule,

Expenses.

As I get pushed

Into the Real World,

I will miss

"The good old days."

But no one can

Turn back the hands of time,

Nor should anyone dwell in the past.

One must keep marching forward.

Tick, tock.