I think the biggest challenge facing college students today is that they think they have to have everything figured out. Somewhere down the road, someone told them they must have a plan and stick to it or else they would never make something for themselves.

I am here to put those claims to rest, and tell you that if you are within the age of 18-24, you do not need to have it all figured out.

Do you remember your parents, or high school counselors saying, “you have to have a plan for your future”? You must have thought, “wow, they are right, what am I doing with my life?”

Well, might I remind you that you were in high school, and that you didn’t need to be thinking so detailed about a future that was still years ahead. While having blue prints of a plan, as to what college you want to attend and what you want to study is nice, it doesn’t mean you are cemented to the ground on these decisions.

Your parents and other adult figures pressure you to make decisions because that is what they were told. Back then, if you got a job it became your career. This generation wants to make careers for themselves and won’t settle being working stiffs.

More CEO’s and entrepreneurs come out of college every year, because this is the generation of making a name for yourself. However, students fear chasing their dreams or branching out of what they know because they have been constantly told that they need a “plan.”

Students don’t come to the realization that college is where you find yourself and figure out what you want to do in life. A student would rather choose a law degree rather than following their passion for photography because it is the safer bet. Engineering students suffocate under the pressure of succeeding and workload rather than just join the workforce and realize they hate their job.

Don’t feel the pressure if you decide to change your major, or for making less money than others do. Look around your classroom; everyone is in the same boat traveling the unknown seas. If you don’t make an architect's salary but find peace everyday cooking in a bakery, who is to say you didn’t make the right choice.

Why should you break your back doing work you hate when you could be putting 100% of your effort into a passion? Even if you aren’t in college, don’t settle for the first manager position you get, branch out don’t be afraid to take that leap.

My mom was an amazing artist, but instead of following her incredible talent, she works in public relations for a non-profit company. While she enjoys her job and makes good money, I know she wishes she could still be able to be a 20 year old and paint the world. It is because of those lost desires that she constantly encourages me to chase my dreams and don’t settle for anything less that what I want.

So I say to all of those afraid to be themselves: go dance, go be a director, go act, go challenge yourself and make waves. The work will be hard, and the time won’t be short, but in the end, you will be happy because you didn’t make a set plan. Instead, you re-drew and re-drafted 7 or 8 plans until it was perfect.