There are many things about this world that I will never understand. One of them being the fact that at the age of 18 I am more or less forced to decide the rest of my life. Yet, six months ago, I still had to raise my hand to ask if I could use the bathroom. Six months ago, most of our decisions were made for us, and now we are thrown into a world where each decision we make can affect our future. With that being said, some people it seems, are born knowing what they want to do in life. While others still sit down to thanksgiving dinner every year and listen to their relatives tell them, “don’t worry, one day you’ll just know.” Then there’s people like me, who thought they had their lives planned out. People who thought they knew the exact path they would take to get to their future, but then came to school and watched their path crumble at their feet. While this all sounds very depressing, having to choose a new path has made me realize many great things. The most important being, it’s okay to decide to be undecided and here’s why.
You have time.
I cannot stress this one enough. There are very few majors that require you to decide your path on the very first day of freshmen year. You do not need to know what your major should be right away. You have four years of school, and chances are even if you take your time deciding what you want to do with your life, you will still graduate in time. And if you really are that worried about being behind, I have two words for you: summer classes.
You are young.
Coming into college many students are around the age of 17 or 18, which is a hard time for any young adult, between trying to balance a social life, school and maybe even a sport. Having to figure out what you want to do with your life is stressful, so if you don’t know yet, don’t harp on it. Give yourself a pat on the back just for being able to leave home and start a new chapter in your life. Stop getting down on yourself for not having your five-year plan nailed down just yet.
General education classes are your friend.
General education classes are there for a reason, most schools even require you to fulfill a certain amount of gen eds in order to graduate anyway. So take advantage! Use gen ed classes to figure out what you like the most. Being undecided allows you to be open minded to all subjects, which provides you with even greater opportunities.
Most people change their major at least once.
So while you’re sitting there envious of the girl who has it all planned out, remember that next semester could be the complete opposite when she decides she doesn’t like what she’s doing anymore and you’ve finally found your calling. While numbers vary, some schools report up to 75% of people change their major, so what’s the rush in choosing one if it’s likely to change throughout your course of school anyway. Take your time deciding.
You’re not the only one.
At times it may seem like you’re the only one in the world that doesn’t have everything figured out, but trust me you’re not. You’ll meet many people in the same boat as you, create friendships out of the mutual uncertainty of your futures, and spend many late nights venting about such. But they’ll be the first people you tell when you realize what you want to do and you’ll spend the rest of your time together cheering each other on!
Being undecided allows you to be open minded.
One of the great things about life is that honestly you can be anything you want to be. While the biology major on her pre-med track is not accepting of classes or majors other than her own, you, on the other hand, you are impartial to all, and are able to see the beauty and importance of each major before deciding which one is right for you. This only broadens your opportunities and may even allow you to become interested in multiple things. Can you say double major?
You won’t make a decision you’ll regret.
I know making a decision feels good in the moment, but don’t decide on a career path or a degree unless you’re absolutely excited about it. Don’t pick what you’re parents want you to do, or what will make you the most money. Do something you love, something you’ll never get tired of. By deciding to be undecided you give yourself a ton of time to decide what you really want to do, and this is something you will never regret.
You’re not stuck.
Again imagine you’re that bio major, lover of all things science, destined to go to medical school until you take a history class for your ancient civilizations requirement. You fall in love and find the inner historian in you. Except now its junior year and you’ve spent your first two years fulfilling your major requirements, you’re stuck. As an undecided major however you don’t “have” to take certain classes right away or fulfill credits for a major early, you can take your time finding your inner historian or musician before it is too late!
You’re unique.
You don’t feel the need to follow the crowd, and pick a major just because you think you need too. You don’t feel the need to follow in your dad’s footsteps or your older brother's or anyone. You’re going to do what’s right for you, even if it takes a little more time deciding what that is.
You will find yourself.
Throughout the process of searching for a major or a career you will find yourself. You will realize you’re interested in things you never would have thought of before. You will broaden your horizons and take chances, which will end up leading to some of the best experiences of your life. You will find what you want to do in life, but don’t rush it because the best things in life take time!
One of the greatest things has been realizing that not everything in life has to happen the way you want it to. Part of growing up is learning how to accept the challenges life brings your way and enjoy the ride. So to those wandering through life waiting for their future to hit them, keep going! Remember what they say: not all those who wander are lost.
