Discus Awards

Have you ever taken a test to show which side of your brain is more dominant? If not, here’s a quick and crude description of each.

Can you clearly lean towards one or the other? Most people can. But what do you do when – like me – you are split between the two? It can be challenging and difficult to deal with what sometimes feel like “competing” characteristics…over time, however, you learn which characteristics are best for particular situations and learn to adapt accordingly.

For instance, in most tests that I take, I always seem to score right down the middle – dominated by neither half, but sharing traits of both. The left brain, for instance, is a great help to me in math and science and allows me to focus on the task at hand. My right brain side is what allows me to be creative and spontaneous – to flourish at musical theater and drama.

When I was deciding what major to pursue in college, I really struggled. I have so many different interests it was hard to narrow it down to something I could see myself doing as a career for the rest of my adult life. I recalled which classes I enjoyed the most, and at the top of my list was Marine Biology. It was unlike any other class I’d had before; because my school is located on an island, we actually got to put on hip waders and go out into the water to conduct experiments. I loved learning about all different kinds of marine life and the ecosystem in general. Perhaps this was my calling?

But then, again, I have appeared in many school musicals and drama productions. I have been cast in public service announcements, regional and national commercials, and educational videos. I enjoy losing myself in another character – giving a scene life and entertaining an audience. I would really love to continue my education in theater and drama, but that certainly isn’t an easy or probably wise career move.

What to do, what to do…I finally decided to pursue a career in Marine Biology. The left brain had won out! I enjoyed the class and subject matter, and I could get a job at a research facility or lab so I figured that was a safer avenue.

But then I attended Willamette’s spring preview and became enraptured by the presentation of the drama department. I knew in my heart I couldn’t leave my love for the dramatic arts behind as I forged ahead through adulthood. It was at that moment that I realized I would greatly regret not pursuing a degree in theater, as well. So I decided to double-major in both disciplines. Finally, I am serving both the left and right sides of my brain, but also going with my gut and my heart…what more could I ask?!

So if you’re in a similar dilemma, don’t fret; go with what you love and enjoy and you can’t go wrong. I, for one, would rather have a job that I love to do every day, and being able to pursue my heart’s passion – even only as a hobby – is just icing on the cake.

Filed under: Kaeleigh Thorp • All-Around High School Students • Meet the Discus Winner