At the age of 18 you are asked by your college academic advisor the big question. “So what do you plan on doing with your life and what would you like to major in?" Two years prior to this question you were legally licensed to drive alone, and three years prior to this question you laid your hands on the steering wheel for the very first time. Just five years ago you entered your teenage years, and based off of the average life expectancy of a US citizen you've got decades ahead of you, yet you are still expected to know exactly what you want to do with your future. Your advisor might as well have asked, “So what do you see yourself doing for the next 40+ years of your life?"
It is okay if you do not know the answer to that question and it is alright if others around you seem to know exactly what they want to do and where they are going.
1. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, on average, about 80 percent of students in the United States change their major at least once, and on average college students change their major at least three times over the course of their college career. All of your peers who seem to be on top of the world knowing exactly what they want to major in and “have their life together" are more than likely to change their minds due to numerous circumstances, and that's okay.
2. College is your first shot at pure independence. You are expected to find your way around campus, set up your own advising appointments, meet with your teachers and speak with people of high authority all on your own. Mom and dad are no longer by your side to hold your hand, and quite frankly, that is a good thing. Doing things on your own enables you to grow and create yourself. College will change you as a person due to your self reliance, which allows for personal growth and maturity. As you grow into your own person, your mindset, values, opinions and interests will most likely change. Waiting to select your major and trying out multiple electives that interest you along the path of your college career is wise, because it may spark a new passion in a subject you never had before.
3. Discovering your passion doesn't happen overnight. If you weren't born with dreams of becoming a doctor or a teacher, it doesn't mean something is wrong with you, it simply means you are meant for something you haven't yet discovered. The path of creating yourself and trying new things is a beautiful way of finding who you are and what you were intended to become. A newfound passion or a spark of interest may be a sign as to what direction you should go. Look at not knowing what you want to major in as an exciting journey to self-discovery and newfound interests that will spice up your path to finding the perfect major.
4. Breathe because you're not alone. A 58 year old woman once told me she still “Didn't know what she wanted to be when she grows up," and that I should “Enjoy life while you're young and to soak up every moment because when you rush into things that's when you blink and your life flashes before your eyes." So, take your time. Life is too short to worry about something you will discover when the time is right. Everything happens for a reason and when you are suppose to figure out your passion and your major, you will. Don't let life rush you; run at your own pace.
5. Opportunities present themselves all the time but we are too busy stressing over the simple “What do I major in?" question to realize it. Much of our lives are spent obsessing about preparing for something instead of enjoying every step of the way to our goals. Use your uncertainty as a trigger to try new things that could spark interest. Signing up for an elective that you usually wouldn't pick, find an unordinary new job, join a club, go Greek, introduce yourself to someone new and discover their interests while networking, and research things that excite you. All of these are great steps to take to discover your passions while enjoying and building yourself.
Ultimately, look at not knowing what you want to do with your life as an advantage to grow, try new things, expand your knowledge, and really live life to your fullest capacity. Through embarking on new experiences and trying new things you will naturally discover passions you never thought were embedded inside of you.
Consider yourself one of the lucky ones. Life is too short to rush something that is demanded at a time before your true growth into the person you were made to be.
