So much pressure is put on young kids to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives at such a young age. At 17, kids are still abiding to curfews mandated by their parents, and in school, they are still asking permission to be excused to the restroom. How are they expected just six short months after all of this to decide the course of their lives?
Take a deep breath; you have time.
When you first get on campus, you may be overwhelmed with the newfound freedom. This can be a blessing or a curse. It depends on what you do with that freedom. Once you find a balance with dividing your time between schoolwork, part-time work, a social life and down time, start thinking about getting involved on campus.
Getting involved with clubs on campus is a great way to find what your likes and dislikes are if you don’t already know. If you do know, that’s a perfect way to meet like-minded people. Joining clubs looks great for your résumé and is a fun way to pass time!
Most colleges will give you a year or two to take classes as an undeclared major. Use this time to explore different fields. Talk to people who are in different majors, and talk to the staff. Ultimately, many people on campus are there to help you. Utilize time in the admissions office, time with advisers and time in the library researching. Ask faculty what they majored in in college and whether or not they switched paths along the way.
Take classes you think are interesting. Even if you don’t think they will relate to your chosen career, the knowledge may help you more than you would think. Information learned in class can always be used in real-world situations. Plus, employers are really looking for applicants who are well-rounded. For example, if you’re interested in journalism, they no longer want someone who can just write well. They want someone who is able to analyze text, conduct interviews, take photos and write extraordinarily, all while meeting a tight deadline.
Choose the wrong classes and choose the wrong major. It’s the only way to know for sure that you will be led to what you really want to do. According to YoungMoney.com, 60 percent of students will change their major at least once before graduation.
Many people will try to persuade you to go into a career that they think will be profitable. However, profits do not necessarily equal happiness. When you find what you are passionate about, don’t let anyone dissuade you. Waking up everyday and loving what you do is a whole lot better than waking up everyday and dreading going to work.
Go into school confident that you will find the right path for you. Enjoy these next four years of your life. Even if you get the path wrong at first, remember it is never too late to change direction and do what you really want to do.
