In college, people expect you to know what you want to do with the rest of your life. How is that even a reasonable request when in June we still had to raise our hand and ask to go to the bathroom but in September we are living on our own and are supposed to have everything figured out. Well, that's just not happening. Too much pressure is placed on college students in regards to what they want to do with their future. There is such a drastic change from the kids that we were when we graduated high school to the young men and women we are going to be when we graduate college. I could have an idea of what I want to do when I graduate college but as I go through school and experience life, it might change. Even though most of us are 18 and legally considered an adult, we are still kids sometimes! I still have to ask my mom to help me fill out my taxes and when I have a car question, I still call my dad.
From the time I was in Kindergarten to freshman year of high school, I wanted to be a teacher. Now I cannot imagine spending over eight hours a day in a school. I changed my mind again when I finished high school. I thought that I wanted to do multimedia production and it turns out that wasn't my calling either. I am 20 years old and I have already gone through two thoughts of career changes. Higher education is no different.
It's okay when you're going through college to take a step back and realize that not knowing what you're doing is still okay! People who have their whole life planned out aren't realistic. Things come up, life happens, things we can't plan for it just like we don't have any control over it. We are young. We are not supposed to have everything together and know what we want to do. We have the rest of our lives to worry about that. Live while we are young. Travel the world. Take the opportunity to experience new places, meet new people and not worry about what is going to happen down the line. It's college. Yes, college is important, but you have FOUR years to worry about what you are going to do when you graduate. Right now, take the time to be a young adult.
The worst mistake someone can make is not leaving any time to have fun, enjoy the company of others, and be a kid as long as possible! Yes, we need to have jobs to support ourselves, do well in school to earn a degree, but we also need to make sure we have time for life! All work and no play has never benefitted anyone. When you are older you can look back and either say "wow I had the time of my life in college" or "man, I wish I did more in college." Don't let the ladder of the two be you.
