Ep. 1 A New Chapter

The speaker introduces herself as Kaylee Finlay, a 16-year-old high school student who is starting her own podcast. She plans to discuss various topics and invite guests to share their views. In this episode, she talks about turning 17 and graduating high school. She expresses excitement and nervousness about the new chapter of her life, including getting her driver's license and applying for college. Kaylee acknowledges the difficulty of choosing a career path at a young age but emphasizes the importance of flexibility and freedom in the next stage of education. She encourages her listeners to embrace change and believes that they are ready for the challenges ahead. Hey guys, and welcome back, or welcome to, the Off-Topic Podcast, shall I say, because this is my first ever episode that I'm recording for my podcast. And I just wanted to quickly introduce myself and kind of tell you what my intentions are for this podcast, and then we'll get straight into today's topic, which is a new chapter. So, my name is Kaylee Finlay, and I'm your host. I'm 16 years old, and I'm currently in high school. I'm graduating this year, and see you next year, of course. My intentions with this podcast, let's see, I'm going to be recording episodes all the time for my viewers, of course, and I'm going to be kind of talking about life in general, and really just topics that can get you thinking, and topics that I can get different views on and see other people's views, and I will also be having guests on this podcast, so that I can hear other people's views, and we can talk about it and discuss it, and kind of learn something new about ourselves and others. So, this podcast, this episode, for my first one, I decided to talk about me. It's called A New Chapter because this year is a big, important new year for me, and a lot of things are going to be happening this year that will be giving me more freedom, kind of, and they're all going to be new. So, because I'm graduating from high school this year, I'll be going to see Jet For One. Because I'm turning 17, I'll be getting my license. What else? I don't know, but it's kind of exciting, and it's kind of scary, and it's kind of, it's just all new, and I'm not quite sure what to expect, which is why it's going to be exciting and scary, like I was saying. So, the first thing we're going to talk about is how I'm turning 17. I'm currently 16, and my birthday is in May, which is when I'm going to be 17. And 17 is kind of the perfect year, the perfect age, I'd say, because you're not young anymore, right? You're not considered a kid. You're growing up, and it's the year before you're an adult, so, like you said, a lot of new things are going to be happening. You're going to be having more freedom. You're going to be allowed to do more things than you've been able to do before. And with 17, people are going to start to respect you more, and they're going to kind of involve you in more things, and adults are going to start to respect you, and look at you more like a real and important person, and your opinions are going to start to matter. People are going to want to hear what you have to say. And, I don't know, just 17 in general just seems like a great age to me, because you're not young anymore. You're not really a teenager, even though you still are. It's just you're going to get that respect and that qualification that you will when you're an adult, because it's the year before you become 18, and you're going to start to feel more welcomed. So I'm going to be 17 in May, which is crazy to think, because I don't even know. Time flies, let me tell you. Time really flies. To me, it feels like I was just walking in to high school. First day of high school, sec one, little 12-year-old me, and now I'm graduating this year, which is crazy. Time really does fly. Time really does fly. So I guess we'll kind of talk about that now, because I'm graduating this year from high school, because I'm in grade 11, and I don't even know what to think. I don't even know what to say. I mean, I'm very excited. I cannot wait to leave high school. I have been here for way too long, let's just say that. But, I don't know, it's going to be exciting, and CGIP is a big thing, and it's going to be all new and all scary, and just graduating from high school in general is going to be new and scary. But I'm excited. I'm excited for this new change. I'm going to apply. Well, it's actually from now until March is kind of when we have to start applying for CGIP, and it's also another big scary thing, because if you don't get into the program you want, it can be rough. I already know that I want to go to Abbott. I really want to go to Abbott, and if I don't get into Abbott, I don't think I'm going to want to go to CGIP. I'm going to probably take a year off or a break, but besides that, I'm going to apply for a double-deck, which is social science and science, and that's kind of what I want to do, because first, let's backtrack a bit. Having to know what you want to do at such a young age is crazy. You have to choose your path and choose your lifestyle at the age of 16, 17, which is impossible. How is a 16-year-old, 17-year-old kid supposed to know what they want to do in their future for the rest of their lives? You don't. You simply don't, because you're still so young, and you're going to change your ideas, you're going to change your thoughts, you're going to change what you want. You're going to just change as a person as you grow up. So knowing what you want to do at 16, 17, it's just so overwhelming, and it's stressful, because you have to pick and choose, because you have to apply to your CSUP or your university, or whatever, and you need to know, you need to have a set plan, and you need to be willing to go into that program, and you also have to have the grades. Don't get me started on that, but you have to have the grades, and you have to be qualified for the program you want to go into. So I, like I said before, want to apply for social science and science, which is a double-deck. It's a three-year program at Abbott, and that is kind of what I'm aiming for, and if I don't get in, I will be very sad. I'll be very sad, and I'll be very stressed, because, like I said, I do not want to go to Dawson. I have my heart and my mindset on Abbott and this program, and if I don't get in, I don't know what I'm going to do. So we will see. But that's kind of where my mind is at right now, and what I'm hoping to do and what I'm hoping to continue on with my future. Back to what I was saying before about graduating. You can go, and you can choose. There's so many different paths you can take, and there's so many different things you can do, and CGIP isn't the only thing. You're going to have so much more freedom in general because of CGIP. Your classes are going to be longer, but you're not going to have as many, and you're not going to have a six-day cycle or seven-day cycle of high school. You go in for six hours, and you go home, and you're done for the day. It's different. CGIP is all different and new, and it's very flexible, which is good. It's very good to be flexible because you're going to have, like I was saying, a lot more freedom with your schedule and with your life, and you're going to be able to do what you want to do without having that schedule set in place for you, especially because you get to pick your own classes and your own course, and it's way more directed and focused on the things you want and you like, which is going to be so exciting because you're not going to be bored or you're not going to be hating on your schedule. I mean, you could be hating on your schedule, but I mean, it's your schedule. It's your choice, so you can't be hating on it too much because you chose those classes and you chose that program. I mean, you don't exactly choose your schedule. That kind of is given to you, but you chose everything else that creates your schedule, so you're going to have to just deal with it and like it, but most people do. Most people enjoy their schedule that they get, and for people that are in the harder subjects and just like the longer programs or the more challenging programs, they should be prepared that their schedule is going to look different than if you were in an easier and calmer program because you're going to have less than you would if you were in the harder ones. You're going to have a lot more time on your hands and a lot more flexibility and wiggle room to kind of do what you want, but for those who are in the harder programs, like I was saying, they're already kind of mentally preparing themselves for all the work they're going to get, and so the workload is going to increase like crazy. The time is going to increase like crazy, but because it's what they chose and they got that choice, it won't be as annoying and kind of like a pain in the butt like it was in high school because you didn't get that choice in high school. You got some of a choice. Like for me in high school, I'm in physics and chem right now, and I got the choice. I chose to go in physics and chem, which is the higher science, I'd say, whereas in SEJA, it's the same thing, right? Like you choose the program you're going into. You know it's going to be a harder program. You're willing to put in the work because it's what you want, and it's going to benefit you in the future. Everything that you do and everything you choose is just benefiting you for your future. That's the whole point of SEJA. That's the whole point of just going to school in general. It's going to help you for your future, but having to choose it now, it's a scary thing. It is a scary thing, and then there's nothing wrong with changing your idea, but maybe some people don't want to do that, especially people who have a hard time with change and are used to the same consistent schedule and plan. Going into this new year of SEJA and graduating can be very, very intimidating because everything is new. The people are new. The buildings are new. The teachers are new. The classes are new. The routes you take to get to school or the routes you take in school to get to your classes are new, right? Everything is new, and it's going to be intense, and it's going to be new, and it's going to be scary, but I think that the age we are all at now, it's the perfect age and the perfect time to start something new, and even though it seems very intimidating and very overwhelming, we are all ready and we are all capable, which is why I'm also excited because me, I am not a person that is afraid of change, and I enjoy change in a sense because a new start and a new beginning just sounds exciting because you can start over. You have the chance to make those mistakes again and improve from them and improve from the mistakes you've already made and apply it to this new life, this new chapter. And back to what I was saying before about the people that are afraid of change, it's okay if you're afraid of change, but don't block it. Don't be so afraid that it stops you from what you need to do and what you want to do. Like, say, Jeff, if you are so afraid, some people will just stop at high school and they won't continue. And some people will just stop because that's what they want to do. That's what they believe is going to benefit them in the future, and they stop for a reason. But if you're stopping for the reason of fear, that's wrong. Stopping for the reason of fear is just going to keep you in this little bubble and you're just not going to be able to continue in life. You're not going to be able to move forward. You're not going to be able to get that job. You're not going to be able to grow up. And fear stems from the unknown, which is basically our entire life, right? I mean, everything, every day is unknown. When I'm waking up, I don't know my day-to-day life. I don't know what's going to happen today, right? I mean, I can have an idea, and I can have a plan, and I can follow that plan and make today how I imagined it. But you can never really know how it is. And are you afraid every day? No, you're not. You may be afraid some days because something big and new is happening, but when you really think about it, something big and new is happening every day. You're waking up, and it's a new day. So if you're not afraid to wake up and just live this new day, why should you be afraid of going to SEJA or getting your license or going to this job interview? I mean, it is something a lot different than just living your average day life because you're used to living an average day, day-to-day life, but it's still new. A new day is a new day, and anything can happen, which is why you shouldn't let fear take over for these other unknowns. Even though they seem big, and you really don't know what's going to happen, it doesn't mean it should stop you from still doing it or still trying, which is why I really don't believe you should just not go to SEJA because of fear or you shouldn't go to that job interview because of fear or you shouldn't get your license because of fear. Don't let fear run you. Just do it, and you're going to feel great after, and it's going to be awesome. I'm not going to say I'm not afraid to go to SEJA because I am, but I'm not letting it stop me because I know in the end it's going to be good and it's going to be great, and it's exactly what I need right now because five years of high school, don't get me wrong, five years of high school is crazy. It's a lot. I'm so done, and I'm so excited to graduate and go to SEJA and move on with my life. I loved high school. It was great, but I am done. It was long enough. Now, SEJA isn't the only big and new unknown thing for me this year because I'm 16 turning 17, I am able to start my driving license, my driver's license, which is basically what I've done this year because I cannot wait to drive. I'm starting as early as I can, and I'm going to try and get it as quick as I can because I don't want to waste any time. I want my license now. When I turned 16, I was able to get my permit, so I planned it a month in advance to do all the lessons and all the online courses that I needed to do before I was able to take my test to get my permit, which I did, and I was done those in the perfect amount of time to be able to do my test when I was 16. So I basically started when I was 15, and then I got my permit, and I've been driving all summer, all fall, and now in the winter, and I've been doing my courses, my in-cars, my online courses, and I will hopefully be done in time to get my license as soon as I'm 17 because you can only do your test, your in-car test, when you're 17. I mean, you can only get your license when you're 17. So this is a huge new thing, too, because driving a car and being on the road and being responsible for your own vehicle and yourself and also whoever else is in that vehicle is a huge responsibility, and it's extremely important, and I understand why they raised the age limit last year. Honestly, I'm not sure how long ago they did that, but you used to be able to get your license by 16, and now you have to be 17. So honestly, I understand why they did that because having a license is a huge responsibility because you're in charge of yourself and everyone else on that road. A car is a dangerous weapon. It is a dangerous weapon. It's a huge vehicle, and it can be very dangerous if gotten into the wrong hands or if used unresponsibly, which is why it's a whole year process, and it's a long and tedious thing. I just want my license. I feel like I've been doing this for two years now, even though it hasn't even been one, but it is going to be worth it in the end because I'm going to have my license just at 17, and it's not later. It's just a little bit later, but I'll definitely have it before I'm 18, and that's so exciting to me because I cannot wait to drive, and driving is such a freedom. To be able to drive a car and go wherever you want, whenever you want, it's a big thing in growing up, and my older brother, he has his license, and I remember when he first got it, he was, like, honestly never home anymore. I mean, he wasn't really ever home before because he hung out with his friends all the time, but I noticed as soon as he got his license, it was just, he got a lot more freedom, which is why I'm so excited to get my license because I want that freedom. I want to be able to go wherever I want, whenever I want. I want to be able to just drive to McDonald's. If I feel like having McDonald's, I want to be able to just drive to my friend's house whenever I want instead of waiting on my parents to drive me there, or if not, I end up having to take the bus, which is a hassle. So having this new freedom, and this big freedom, and this big change, is just, I'm so excited. This isn't even, there's no fear in this, that's a lie. There is definitely fear in this, but the fear is pushed away and blocked because of how rewarding it's going to be when I have my license. And driving is a fun thing to me. In my opinion, it's fun. I love driving. When I'm on the road and I'm driving, I just, I feel so old. And I just, it's such, it's an incredible thing to drive. And people don't even like speak about this enough. Driving is just like so normalized that it's like, doesn't really seem like it's this big thing. When in reality, kids who are 16, 17, just getting their license, and are just able to get their license because they finally reach that age, they're so excited. And it's a huge thing for us. And it's just, it's really exciting. I'm really excited. I don't know if I've said it enough. I know I have said it enough. I'm sorry for that. I know I keep saying it, but I'm so excited to get that freedom. But like I said, there is still fear involved. Even though it's being blocked and it's pushed away because I know how rewarding it's going to be in the end, there's still fear involved. Like, when you're on the road and you're driving, all of a sudden, you realize how you are in charge of yourself, the other person in the car, everyone else on the road, and it can be terrifying. It can be quite terrifying to acknowledge and realize this while you're on the road. I've done this before. That's why I'm saying this. I've had this realization before that I am in charge of these people's lives right now. One wrong movement and it could be all over, which is why it's a scary and stressful new thing. And you have to be responsible. And you have to be willing to take on the consequences for your own actions if you've made a mistake or if something went wrong. Even if it's an accident, you have to be willing to take on these consequences, which is another big thing. Owning up to your own actions if anything went wrong. You have to be mature. Maturity is a big thing in this, and it comes with growing up, and a lot of people gain maturity later on than others. But you don't have to be a mature person. Well, yeah, you do have to be a mature person. But you have to be mature for driving. You have to be mature enough to be able to drive. And you have to realize how big of a thing this is. Because it is huge. Driving is huge. And it's a big, big responsibility. Everything that I will be doing this year and kind of taking a step into this new life, living a new chapter, it's all one big, huge responsibility. And it's scary because of how young we are. I'm only 16. I'm going to be 17. But still, I'll only be 17. And driving and going to CJEP and getting a new job, I will definitely need to be getting a new job because I am broke. But all these things, they're huge and they're a big new responsibility. And I'm young. I'm still a kid. And it's scary. But it's worth it in the end. And it's going to be exciting. And it's going to be a great year. And I'm going to have so much more freedom, which is great, especially being a middle child, family of five, it is great to have so much more freedom and to kind of go out and do my own thing and to make mistakes and to explore and just to see what's out there and continue to grow up and change and mature and just see what life's all about. Because that's the big idea. And that's how we're going to grow. And that's how we're going to change. And that's my new chapter. That's everyone's new chapter. Well, I mean everyone who's graduating this year. And we're all going to be in the same boat too. So don't worry about feeling alone because everyone's going through what you're going through. And you're not alone. And there are people out there that can help. And there are people out there that you can reach out to. You can talk to your family, your friends. Don't feel alone because you aren't alone. And I think I'm going to wrap it up there. And I think I'm going to end it there because I said everything I had to say and it was a great, great episode. And I hope you guys really enjoyed. And I hope you enjoy my next couple episodes too. And I really did enjoy doing this. So thank you guys so much for watching and I'll see you guys next time. Bye.