It is midnight, and I am bawling to my mother on the other line.
The stress, uncertainty, doubts, and failures have finally gotten to me.
I hate my classes. I thought I would love them, but I have never dreaded something so much.
Will it get better? Maybe? No... I am sure that this isn't how I am supposed to feel.
What the He** am I doing with my life?
Some will meander their way through high school, hoping that college will lead them to decide upon a major. On the flip side, most of us will enter college with a confident answer to this question...
"What is your major?"
If you are anything like me, life is better when it has some sort of direction. Otherwise, I will drive myself crazy till I figure it out.
Recently I have discovered that no matter how sure you are, you can never be sure. What you once loved can quickly fade away.
Is that anything to be scared of? Absolutely not.
Change is frightening for many of us, but it could lead to that breath of fresh air that you have been longing for.
Once you have admitted to yourself that it is time for change, you can finally get to the more difficult road blocks.
Your parents have your best intentions in mind.
Your parents want you to have a perfect college experience full of happiness and new experiences. Often we forget that they have probably been through this too or had friends with the same problem. Trust them and listen to their advice, but it is important to stand your ground on your decisions. Ultimately, they want you to enjoy life.
Financial Aid is there for a reason.
Money is always a huge factor in limiting the possibilities. Fortunately, there are many resources that can help. Financial Aid can help you start designing a plan for you. Scholarships may be adjusted, but odds are there is a way to make it all work out. Get through the money process and you are golden.
Picking new classes can be fun.
This is your chance to explore the new options that are out there. Take classes that look interesting to you. Advisors are there to help you fulfill requirements and lead you to the perfect class schedule. Another year may be discussed, but it may be worth it in the end. This part should be exciting- just start clicking away.
It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks.
Did everyone think you were going to follow your dreams of being the best doctor in the country, the most successful architect, the smartest mathematician, or the aspiring opera singer? Friends, family, teachers, and peers can easily forget that these things can change. In no way should you apologize for wanting to go a different direction. Let them talk, but eventually they will understand.
You might change your mind again.
If you do it once, you can do it a second time. Life is messy and difficult, but these struggles can lead you to the life you have been searching for. Think of it like this- you will be an expert by the third time!
I promise there will be tears, weeks of long conversation with your parents, overwhelming stress, uncertainty, and the lingering fear of the unknown.
I can also promise you this... you will have friends, family, and faculty to support you, resources will be there to get help in this transition, tears will go away, but most importantly, better things are to come.
In order for this to work, you must keep a calm and open mind. Find joy in adventuring into the unknown waters. Get out there and explore what the He** you are supposed to be doing with your life.
