In my 18 years, I have gone through many phases and wanted to be different things when I grew up.
In kindergarten, I loved cats and wanted to be a Veterinarian.
In 4th grade, I wanted to be an Orthodontist because someone told me they make a lot of money.
After watching Criminal Minds in 7th grade, I wanted to be a forensic psychologist.
Then, freshman year, I decided that my social skills and charm would make me perfect for being a realtor.
Now, I am admitted to college with a journalism major.
This means that your desires and plans can change before they even begin. My mom started her freshman year at Auburn, majoring in anesthesiology, and graduated with an art degree.
As graduation quickly approaches, it feels like everyone around us is asking, ‘What’s next? What major are you choosing?’ For so many of us, the answer isn’t clear or solid.
It is clear that even from a very young age, society, schools, and even parents—perhaps unintentionally—place unrealistic expectations on students to have their lives and careers figured out by 18.
Which is funny because most adults you talk to will say they didn’t know until later in life.
By the end of senior year, students often feel that they are expected to know what they want to major in and what career they want to pursue after graduation.
Feeling like you’re not as far in life as you’re supposed to be can overwhelm students and make them feel like their entire future is on the line.
Seniors are expected to make life-defining decisions while still learning who they are, what they love, and what they even want out of life.
Because of this expectation, I can say that I, for one, feel like I’m running out of time, and I am still nowhere near figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life beyond college.
To make matters worse, this expectation only amplifies the fear of making the “wrong” choice and failure.
Right now, choosing a major feels like a permanent decision. It leads to this fear of making the wrong decision, which often paralyzes students in their stress.”
“What if I choose the wrong major? What if I waste time or money on something I’ll regret later?” I have frequently wondered about these questions and been asked by friends.
Family and society often pressure students to make “safe” choices—whether school or major wise. Majoring in business or marketing, for example, opens many jobs. However, choosing the safe option is not always the smartest option, and it can leave students feeling even more uncertain or overwhelmed.
A message to rising seniors: Do not let yourself forget that many adults—including some of your parents and teachers—still deal with the thought that they don’t have it all figured out either.
You should not feel pressured to pick a major or career. College and life should be about exploring and discovering what you are genuinely passionate about.
It is normal and okay not to know your exact path at 18. You have not even lived half of your life yet—do not try to get ahead of yourself.
Enjoy your presence in the unknown, and let the plan take its course. You will end up exactly where you are intended to be.
The world is fast-paced and constantly changing, and so are you. What seems like a perfect career today may not be as relevant tomorrow.
Adults often think they knew exactly what they wanted from the start. But the truth is, life is unpredictable, and most people change their careers multiple times.
Give yourself the time and space to try new things and figure out what you like and don’t. College is a time for growth, for exploration. We should not rush to settle on one thing so quickly.
It is okay not to know, and it is okay to change your mind.
