You may not know what you want to do with your life yet when you apply to college. You may not know what you want to do when you're in your freshman or sophomore year of college, and I'm here to tell you that it's okay to not know yet.
When I was in high school, I didn't know what I wanted to do until my junior year--or so I thought. I wanted to major in journalism through the second half of high school into the first semester of my freshman year of college. I looked for colleges that specifically had good journalism programs, which led me to apply (and attend) Temple University.
I went to the accepted students day and orientation thinking that journalism was what I wanted to do with my life. Once I was a few weeks into my classes, I knew that I wanted to change my major...but to what?
I spent weeks researching what I could potentially switch my major to. I didn't want to go undeclared; I wanted to find something and be able to stick to it. I knew I wanted to do something that involved communications and writing, but I felt that I wasn't outgoing enough for journalism. I couldn't go up to a random person and be like "Hey, can I ask you a question?" for a project. My personality isn't like that. I wanted to find something else.
After spending time reading the descriptions for every single major in the communications department and going to many advising appointments, I found something that could be what I want to major in: public relations. It still involved writing, but it didn't involve posing interview questions. I officially changed my major in the second semester of my freshman year, took three public relations classes, and joined a public relations club. I feel like I finally found what I want to do with the rest of my life, but that doesn't mean I won't change my major again.
Some people change their major three times or more before declaring it before their sophomore year ends. Some people go into college undeclared and don't decide on a major until it's time to declare. If you think you know what you want to do but it's not your fit, just try again. College campuses have so much to offer when it comes to choosing where you want your career path to go. You just have to step out of your comfort zone. Join a new club that seems interesting. Take classes next semester that may interest you. Even asking a friend, professor, or an advisor could help you. They can point you in the right direction and help you decide. And during this process, who knows; maybe you'll learn something about yourself that you didn't know before.
For those in high school, it is okay to not know what you want to do yet. If you're going to college undeclared, that's perfectly okay. For those in college, if you don't like what you're studying for your intended major, change it. Don't worry about what anyone else tells you; just do it for you. Step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and put in your all in what you do.
