"get off the conveyer belt"

Professor Baldwin proclaimed, "you guys have to get off the conveyer belt." What does this mean to us? Does it start now or when we were younger? When is the first time that us as kids stepped away from our parents' side and made your own decision? For me, it was the decision to quit dance and play field hockey. Starting dance at the age of 3, I became very competitive and soon at the age of 10 I was dancing with the 16 year olds. I soon became obsessed, making up dances in front of the mirror and with my friends. My parents were very into it also, always coming to all my practices and recitals. After a while, I became bored and thought it was taking a toll on my life. My friends started getting into sports and since everyone in my dance classes were older, I had no one to really talk to.

When my middle school started sports, I made the decision to quit dance. Quit my life, and start up a totally new activity...
Field Hockey. Not only did it take more endurance, but it took a lot more skill. Ballet was a lot of technique and flexibility, while field hockey was a lot of power. Me, being the little girl never really had the time. I started running every day and practicing. For the next 6 years, field hockey was my life. Climbing up to be county champions. The team was my family.

My parents were very surprised of my decision. Growing up we all make decisions along the way. If we wanted to get good grades or party, what colleges we wanted to apply to, what college we wanted to goto. What people we wanted to be friends with, who we wanted to like. What we wanted to major in, what classes to take. Every day we make decisions, but there are certain ones that stick out. So when do we completely get off the conveyer belt? I think it's going to take a couple of years until I'm completely free, but right now I'm taking advantage of being under my parents wings.