Now that school is out, I'm home for summer, and that inevitably brings about questions from neighbors, friends, and family members about college life and my plans for the future. I can handle describing my time at school fine, and discussing my classes and other activities is not an issue. However, when talking about the future, I get rather hesitant because, in reality, I don't know what my future holds.
Even though I have done some work on discerning my majors, I am still in this unusual position where I cannot come up with an answer to other peoples' questions. And this has been giving me some anxiety, as I am a person who aims to be straightforward and loves planning. But, college has revealed to me that, no matter how hard I try, not everything can be cut-and-dried.
Sometimes, this uncertainty in my future can make me feel stranded. In high school, I always had a plan, and all of my questions had answers. I knew who my friends were, I knew how to do well in classes, and I knew where I would be going to college. But, now that I'm actually there, I have a whole new set of questions facing me.
Where should I try to get my internships? Is my resume looking a little bit thin? My classmates are doing things this summer, but what can I do? What is my long-term plan?
After much thought, I think that it is ok right now that these questions don't really have answers. We get caught up in the university machine without realizing it - feeling pressured to do well in classes so you can have a good GPA so you can get a good internship so you can build your resume, and the progression goes on and on.
There is hope, though. I am pushing myself to try new things this summer. I feel that exposure can give me a better idea of what I'd like to do as I grow older, and that is all I can ask for right now.
Stepping back and looking at the grand scheme of things, however, has given my mind some peace. I attend an excellent university, and I am doing well there. I may not have everything figured out, but no one really does (or should).
College should be about adventure and not just pushing yourself to fit into a mold to look attractive to potential employers. I want to travel, try new things, take risks, and have fun. Unfortunately, though, what we are pressured to do is ignore this and focus on setting yourself up on a path to the best career possible.
I want to do something good with my life, not just make money. Maybe, then, not having an answer to everything will prove to be good for me. My opportunities are endless, and I know that if I continue to pursue something that makes me happy and does the world a service, I will be able to answer all of my questions one day.
