Psychology will always be a popular subject for students because it helps us understand why people do what they do. Girlfriends, roommates, and parents are all predictable because they are all humans. Then one day in class it clicks—this psychology class is talking about me, not them.

After three courses in psychology, I didn’t want to be a specimen of predictability. It’s my rebellion as an individual perhaps, but more likely my ego. That rebellion in itself is a case of predictability. What sucks about being a rebel is that it is reactive—someone or some group has to establish the norm before you can rebel against it.

Daily living on The Real World required too much thought. For months afterwards, I didn’t want to think or mull, just work and be. I needed to be around people who didn’t prod me over everything I do or don’t say. I beat myself up enough and don’t need a team to help me out.

If someone is going to make it their priority to be critical of me, then I promptly move beyond them. Too many people get tangled and stuck in the criticism of insecure people.