Let’s face it. There is an unrealistic amount of pressure for young adults to “know” what they want to do with the rest of their life. Before they know it, students are sitting in a college counselor’s office deciding on a major at only eighteen years old, a decision that could determine their entire future. It’s important to know that you are not alone if you feel lost about what path to follow toward your future. There will be people you meet in your careers that, at any age, will tell you they are still exploring different careers and trying to figure out what they truly want to do. Here are a few things to note that will help alleviate the stress and pressure you can feel from being undecided in college.
Many Students Will Change Their Major
Almost 75% of students will change their major at least once. Even if you feel like all your friends have it figured it out and are confident in the major they chose, chances are they will change it or adjust their emphasis before graduating. With this in mind, focus on taking your prerequisite courses that will be needed regardless of the major you choose.
Your Major Does Not Limit You to a Single Career Path
Many students believe that the major they pick will lock them down into a field where they will never be able to venture out. This is not true at all as there will be multiple career opportunities presented to you regardless of your major. A large percentage of people do not have a career in the field where they have a degree. This is not to say the knowledge that they learned from their undergraduate and graduate programs is not being utilized (as there are many ways in which those skills are valuable), but there is a sense of comfort in knowing that, for example, you can study psychology and still work in the business field.
There is No Rush in Figuring Out What to Do
There is a lot of stress put onto figuring out what to do and not enough emphasis on the importance of figuring out what we don’t want to do. Explore different jobs and internships, take unique elective class courses, and start crossing things off the list that you decide don’t feel right. Don’t get discouraged by taking up opportunities that you end up not liking, it is still a step in the right direction.
With figuring out what you want to do, looking at other students and rushing to explore your educational and future careers, it can be a lot to handle all at once as an undergraduate student. It is important to keep in mind that there is no rush to success, and everything you do is leading you towards the best path for your future.